Spalding RFC 1st 7
Syston RFC 1st 48
Despite slipping to a 12th defeat from as many Midlands One East games on Saturday, Spalding RFC’s desire could not be faulted against second-placed Syston.
Having last met the Leicestershire side four years ago, Town knew they were in for a tough test against a side that are bang in the title mix.
For Spalding, Alex Ioannou returned to the front row, while young Colts Kieran Bailey came in at lock and Ben Williams returned from illness to start at the base of the scrum at number eight.
After last week’s impressive debut at fly half, Josh Broome was an automatic pick – but out in the threequarters with George Brown (hamstring) unavailable, Sam Cooke was selected in the unfamiliar position of outside centre, but he did have the experienced Ryan Chappell and Rob Lucas to assist.
Spalding started on a positive note, with the scrum looking very settled. But an infringement at the breakdown presented Syston with a penalty in front of goal for an early lead.
From the early play it was difficult to work out who was challenging at the top of the league and who was bottom as Town were playing some of their best rugby of the season.
The hosts got their reward when Syston were penalised for an infringement. The ball was handed to Broome, who sent a kick to touch for a lineout.
Williams’ throw found Tom Duerden and a driving maul was established, but it was eventually foiled by some stout defence by the visitors.
Spalding however, remained in Syston’s territory and from a ruck the ball found its way out to Will Moore on the right wing who beat the initial defence and sprinted over in the corner for his first try in the first team. From the touchline Broome’s conversion kick sailed between the posts to put Town 7-3 ahead.
With half time approaching Spalding were still ahead, the scrum was looking secure and the lineout was working well with Tim Waltham and Liam Richardson also securing good ball. Williams and Cyprus international Ioannou were also showing excellent leadership that had been missing the last couple of weeks.
However, just before half time the Syston forwards grabbed hold of the match with first their prop and secondly their blindside flanker smashing through tackles to score a couple of converted tries to put them 17-7 ahead at the interval.
Upon the resumption of play it became immediately apparent that Syston had changed their tactics, with them having had little success taking on the Spalding forwards, the ball was immediately being passed out to their threequaters.
It was not long before their left winger was showing his pace and exposed some inexperience in Spalding’s defence – and just ten minutes into the second half he was in for a try in the corner.
Some ten minutes later he was over again for a converted try, before again outpacing the Spalding defence for another score.
Not satisfied with a hat-trick of tries, the winger again showed his blistering pace with his fourth try to seal a final score of 48-7 for the away side.
Despite the severity of the scoreline, Spalding had periods of domination in the second half – and on several occasions they were encamped on the Syston try line, especially in the last five minutes. Only stout last minute defending and some inexperience by Town in not being patient and going through their phases of play resulted in turnover of the ball, which could have been retained.
However, Spalding’s display and desire could not be faulted in a game that was much closer than many would have imagined.
The defeat leaves Town nine points adrift at the foot – and they’ll continue their search for a first win at Bedford on Saturday.
Town: Ioannou, Caley, Hutson, Duerden, Bailey, Waltham, Richardson, Williams, Shields, Broome, Browne, Cooke, Chappell (captain), Moore, Lucas and Osborne.
MOTM: Duerden
Results (6/12)
Kettering 21 Ilkeston 0; Mansfield 12 Huntingdon & District 39; Market Rasen & Louth 25 Derby 29; Newark 16 Bugbrooke 22; Old Northamptonians 47 Belgrave 10; Paviors 14 Bedford Athletic 36; Spalding 7 Syston 48.
Fixtures (13/12 – 2.15pm)
Bedford Athletic v Spalding; Belgrave v Paviors; Bugbrooke v Old Northamptonians; Derby v Newark; Huntingdon & District v Market Rasen & Louth; Ilkeston v Mansfield; Syston v Kettering.
