Stamford 19
Spalding 7
Spalding put on a brave display in their derby encounter with the runaway Counties One Midlands East (South) leaders but just missed out on a bonus point.
Stamford are nine points clear at the top of the table after winning all but one of their games but were given a severe test and were prevented from reaching 30 points for only the third time this season.
The Elephants welcomed back captain Luke Turner in the front row, alongside fellow prop Tomas Parker and hooker Sam Cowell, and the team looked to have a competitive scrum, despite missing four forwards. In the backs there was a late call-up for Henry Duce, playing full back.
Spalding kicked off with the advantage of the notorious sloping pitch into the corner but it was the home side who started swiftest with their support play at the breakdown seeing their second man quick and sharp to secure possession.
After seven minutes, a missed tackle saw the home side sail through to score under the crossbar and the easiest of conversions gave them a seven-point lead.
Spalding’s flankers Will Shields and Jack Patrick were prominent with their covering tackles but the surprise package was Harry Brett, who had been playing at full-back but was moved to lock alongside Raimondas Zokas. Brett did exceedingly well in the lineout in the absence of George Douglas.
Fly half Willis Ingleby got the chance to kick deep for touch after 27 minutes and Patrick burst through the middle to score, with Conall Mason converting to level the score.
Stamford encamped themselves deep in Spalding’s 22 and scrum half Jim Wraith pulled off a try-saving tackle. The battle was getting fierce and five minutes later Jordan Templer was yellow carded for a tackle and Stamford soon capitalised on their advantage with carries and pick-and-goes to score for a half-time lead of five points.
After 20 minutes of the second half, Stamford’s forwards worked the ball from a ruck on the right wing into the centre to score a converted try.
Substitute George Brown gave impetus to Spalding’s play with his forceful carries and with just a couple of minutes remaining Spalding worked their way to the Stamford try line thanks to some big carries from Turner and Cowell. However, Stamford stole the ball in the ruck and denied Spalding the chance of grabbing a losing bonus point at the death.
Spalding: Parker, Cowell, Turner, Brett, Zokas, Shields, Patrick, Templer, Wraith, Ingleby, Grundy, Mason, Sharman, Duce Subs: Canham, Brown, Firth.
Spalding’s second team lost 24-11 at home to Ilkeston Seconds.
