Stamford 21
Spalding 17
Having lost narrowly to Stamford at home early in the season, captain Luke Turner knew it would take one of the team’s best performances to date to come away with a win at their ground on Saturday, with them sitting comfortably third in the Counties I Midlands East (South) league.
A local derby always ensured a fierce and competitive game and so it turned out.
The pitch at Stamford has a significant slope and as Spalding kicked off not only were they battling a good home team plus the slope but also the wind.
However, Spalding were soon in the game with some good carries by Jack Grundy and Miguel Da Silva, and an early chance was wasted.
The home team were soon into their stride, using the conditions to gain territory and Spalding’s defensive tackling was being tested especially the centre pairing of Conall Mason and Jack Patrick.
A series of pick and goes from their ruck possession and the home team’s forwards were driving for the try line, with brave defence by Spalding but finally they were over for a converted try.
Stamford backs and forwards were combining well and Patrick just managed a crucial tap tackle, stopping a second try opportunity.
Spalding were winning some important turnovers at the breakdown keeping Stamford at bay and when Spalding had a chance after 25 minutes they took it.
A penalty kick to touch, lineout possession won by Fergus McKerrancher and a driving maul established, which edged its way forward and prop Sam Cowell claimed the try.
Spalding had brilliantly weathered Stamford’s storm and Colt Jack Grundy, playing number eight had an outstanding 40 minutes.
Just two points adrift, local supporters reckoned the sloping pitch should be worth ten to 15 points so a home upset was there for the taking.
Sam Christie, who had replaced Ben Shields on the right wing just before half time, demonstrated his outright speed, taking the ball on the half-way line, cutting past two Stamford defenders to score a brilliant try out wide. There was a superb conversion in windy conditions from Mason, and Spalding had a five point advantage.
Competition at the breakdown was becoming fierce as Stamford battled to get back into the game.
The referee had to call both team captains to calm players down but Stamford were now winning more possession and their backs were starting to find room to run at Spalding out wide on both flanks.
Stamford had a series of ruck possession on Spalding’s try line, but gallant defence from Alex Worth Miguel Da Silva and scrum half Adam Sutcliffe resulted in a turnover penalty.
However Stamford quickly came back and left wing Gav Sharman, outnumbered three on one, tried to intercept a scoring pass out wide, but knocked-on and a penalty try awarded. He received a yellow card with 20 minutes remaining.
Two points up, Stamford were charging forward, despite playing up field and against the wind.
Spalding were being stretched, penalty awarded at breakdown 15 metres out from Spalding’s try line, disputed by Mason, who was yellow carded.
With a clear advantage in numbers, Stamford were moving the ball wide stretch Spalding’s defence supported by the forwards near Spalding’s try line and inevitably a further try came Stamford’s way and with a conversion a nine-point advantage was theirs with five minutes remaining.
With full numbers restored Spalding broke down the left wing and Sharman scored by the corner flag, leaving Spalding four points adrift with the referee blowing for full time.
This was another game Spalding could, and perhaps should have won, similar to the close game against league leaders Daventry a fortnight ago.
On this occasion Spalding failed to take advantage of the significant sloping pitch in the second half by kick for territory, forcing the opposition to battle back.
Team: Sam Cowell, Miguel Da Silva, Zokas Raimondas, Fergus McKerrancher, Alex Worth, Will Shields, Jack Grundy, Adam Sutcliffe, Willis Ingleby, Ben Shields, Conall Mason, Jack Patrick, Gav Sharman, Ed Booth. Subs Sam Noble, Jordan Templer, Sam Christie.
Spalding 2nd XV 14 Kesteven 2nd 22
Spalding fought hard right until the final whistle but couldn’t break down the visitors stubborn defence in this Lincolnshire Cup plate competition quarter final at Centenary Park on Saturday.
Town took the lead early with a Tank Stevenson try which was converted by Ryan Medlock, however Kesteven then started to dominate and took the lead with two unconverted tries.
Two further second half touchdowns by the Grantham side, one of which was converted was starting to make a home win look unlikely until the introduction of Josh Styles started to have an influence and Spalding spent the last quarter of the game putting the visitors under intense pressure.
Unfortunately only one try from Styles, converted by Ryan Firth resulted and Kesteven emerged as deserved winners.
