Spalding suffered an opening day defeat in the Midlands 2 East (North) League despite a much-improved performance from the previous week’s cup exit.
Visting Coalville had been the opposition for the final game of last season when Spalding celebrated an outstanding win with free-flowing rugby which saved them from relegation.
However, on Saturday, Spalding saw their forwards again outgunned in the scrums and in the line-out as Coalville claimed a 20-6 victory.
With it being the president’s weekend, the club’s second team – Nomads – were also entertaining Stewarts and Lloyds, providing plenty of sporting activity for the supporters who had braved the rain.
The opening ten minutes saw Spalding struggling to get out of their half with Coalville dominating possession, using their forwards to drive, but the home team’s defence was well organised and tackling was of the highest standard.
However, under pressure, the first penalty was conceded with Coalville missing the kick.
But it was not long before Spalding infringed again, coming around the side of a ruck, and the visitors nudged in front with a successful penalty kick.
Slowly Spalding started to get into the game and full-back Ben Williamson made a break down the right but, with lack of support, the attacking opportunity was lost.
Coalville still had the upper hand but, as they pushed deep into home territory, the ball broke free and quick passing found Harry Harrison on the left wing.
A quick side step and he was free and with pace he ran 60 metres but, as he tried to beat the last man in defence, a stumble with just five metres to the line foiled a score. On the half hour James West landed a penalty kick to level the score.
A further penalty was conceded by Coalville and West kicked for touch for a lineout five metres out.
However, Sam Cowell was struggling with the throwing in to mainly Tom Duerden and again a potential scoring opportunity was lost.
The visitors capitalised and a missed tackle saw Coalville slice through Spalding’s backs to score under the posts and, with a simple conversion, the half-time score was 10-3.
Unlike last week’s cup game, Spalding opened brightly in the second half with the players showing plenty of commitment and team-work.
Coalville were caught offside and West stepped up for a successful penalty kick.
Mikey Watts replaced Josh Caley in the front row and Marc Myles, who was making his debut on the flank having moved clubs from Boston, was replaced by Josh Finch.
The scrum replacements, however, could not turn the tide as Coalville were gaining the upper hand. Captain Harry Brown, playing number eight, had difficult ball to deal with at the base of the scrum most of the afternoon.
Ryan Chappell, who was having an outstanding game at openside flanker, showed his strength and speed by making a 40-metre break through the middle of Coalville’s defence but, with no support, another chance went begging.
With Brown carrying a leg injury, Gavin Sharman came on and slotted into the backs with a reshuffle in the pack.
Josh Finch was caught not releasing at the ruck and the penalty was successfully converted by Coalville for a seven-point lead.
The visitors clinched the match as strong running by their centre through the middle produced a converted try.
This was a much better performance than the previous week’s outing at Sleaford, but the need to kick for territory as a means of working their way upfield and putting the opposition on the back foot was missing all afternoon.
The two wingers, who can be match-winners for Spalding, were also starved of the ball most of the afternoon.
Spalding: Kier Moore, Sam Cowell, Josh Caley, Jordan Templer, Tom Duerden, Marc Miles, Ryan Chappell, Harry Brown, Will Shields, James West, Harry Harrison, Harry Winch, George Brown, Tom Winch, Ben Williamson. Subs: Mikey Watts, Josh Finch, Gavin Sharman.
