Oadby W’stonians 52
Spalding RFC 21
Spalding RFC were soundly beaten 52-21 at Oadby Wyggestonians on Saturday as they exited the RFU Intermediate Cup at the second round stage.
Hosts Oadby, who are flying high in Midlands Two East (South), did most of the damage in the first half – racking up 40 points in a tie played at the home training ground of Leicester Tigers.
Conditions were made for running rugby with a firm pitch, the sun shining and the ground looking extremely well maintained.
Immediately from the kick off the home team clicked smoothly into their rhythm and played with confidence.
Oadby’s forwards were quickly into action, showing speed and unity as their flanker opened the scoring after ten minutes.
From the restart Wyggestonians quickly regained possession and territory. This time their scrum half, who had a wonderful quick pass, released their backs and with an overlap their right winger rounded Kieran Lake for a second converted try.
With nearly 20 minutes played, Spalding had been under constant pressure and had hardly been out of their half. But they suddenly burst into life, led by Ash Anker breaking a couple of tackles and setting up a ruck metres from the try line.
The move appeared to be dying, before Sam Cowell took a pass at pace, burst the initial defence tackle and squeezed over the line with Adam McHugh converting.
Galvanised by conceding a try, Oadby proceeded to run Spalding ragged for the last 15 minutes of the first half, playing at a pace that Town just could not live with.
Again, quick delivery of the ball to the backs allowed the right winger to score his second try, followed by the number seven helping himself to his second try.
Next, the left winger was left in space after an overlap and – as the referee was about to blow for half time – with no guard defence by Spalding at a ruck, Oadby’s scrum half had a simple run in.
Trailing 40-7 at the break, a heavy cup defeat was in the offering. Coach George Reid needed all of his experience to rebuild Spalding’s confidence with his talk.
He altered the backs defence, with too much room and respect having been given to the opposition in the first half.
Immediately from the restart Spalding started to play “old fashioned” rugby slowing play down, retaining the ball in the forwards and denying possession to Oadby.
Spalding’s scrum was holding its own and lineout possession was improved, with both Mark Haighton and Ash Piccaver jumping well.
Oadby, despite their limited share of the ball, opened the scoring again with a good and well executed backs move.
But the Elephants were now frustrating the home team with their style of play as the forwards pick and drove around the breakdown, gaining valuable yards and Mikey Watts drove over for a try converted by McHugh.
Gav Sharman was next in the action on the right wing, as his speed took him around his opposite number. Only a last-ditch tackle denied him a scoring opportunity.
George Douglas then followed suit from full-back, coming into the line following a good up and under and catching his own kick, but again he was denied by the last man in defence.
With a kick to touch Spalding again had the opportunity to set up a good platform near Oadby’s try line. And, after several determined drives by the visitors, Tom Duerden smashed through several defensive tackles to score with McHugh again converting.
However, Oadby had the final score with their full-back bursting into space between their centres for an unconverted try.
Having been completely outgunned and outplayed in the first 40 minutes, Spalding won the second half through sheer determination and a fierce competitive spirit to bring respectability to the final score when it could have been much worse.
Spalding RFC: John Barrett, Sam Cowell, Mikey Watts, Ash Piccaver, Mark Haighton, Ash Anker, Richard Cooke, Jordan Templer, Will Shields, Harry Winch, Kieran Lake, Adam McHugh, George Brown, Gav Sharman, George Douglas. Subs: Tom Duerden, Rob Lucas and Ozz Osbourne.
Saturday: Town v Matlock (3pm).
