Spalding 21
Oakham 7
Spalding welcomed Oakham to Centenary Park on their President’s Day with both teams having won two out of three games since the start of the season in Counties 1 Midlands East (South) league.
Coming into the team were two of Spalding’s up and coming young players, Jack Grundy flanker and James Holland at fullback
In front of a large crowd of supporters, from the kick off Spalding were on the front foot with a lineout on Oakham’s 22.
A good line-out win by lock George Douglas high above everybody, and scrum half Adam Sutcliffe with a good long pass out to fly half Willis Ingleby, saw the ball moved along the backs and Taylor Crowson released Gav Sharman to outpace the Oakham defence to score near the corner flag for the opening try after four minutes.
Oakham responded putting Spalding under pressure winning a ruck penalty and kicking for a deep line-out.
Having won their line-out ball, Oakham were unable to capitalise against solid defence by Spalding, helped by winning a scrum turnover sending the visitors’ pack backwards.
Midway through the first half a penalty kick by Conall Mason extended Spalding’s lead but soon afterwards they lost Alex Worth to a yellow card for a high tackle.
Oakham’s centres were proving lively and they set free their left winger but Grundy with great speed and determination, caught the flying winger, made the tackle and won a turnover penalty.
Spalding’s scrum was on top, winning a succession of penalties and from one flowing move along the backs, Holland was bundled into touch a metre short of the try line.
In the last minute of the first half, Oakham on the attack, a missed tackle and a loose ball allowed the visitors to score under the posts for a converted try.
Despite Spalding having by far the better of the first half they had not converted their possession into points leaving them with only with a one-point advantage
The second half saw Spalding kicking the ball for territory and with Worth winning line-out ball, Willis kicked deep and Sharman won the chase for his second try of the afternoon.
Both sides were being penalised by the referee but Spalding were having the upper hand.
They were awarded three successive scrum penalties on Oakham’s five-metre live but failed to turn their clear advantage into points
A successful penalty kick by Mason, after Oakham had missed a relatively easy penalty kick, saw Spalding extend their lead to nine points and both teams lost players to yellow cards including captain Luke Turner.
Finally Spalding managed to turn their forward superiority into points with a driving maul from a lineout with Miguel da Silva going over.
Oakham hit back but Douglas stole two Oakham line-outs as Spalding defended their try line in the last five minutes
Team: Miguel Da Silva, Ash Anker, Luke Turner, Macaulay Crane, George Douglas, George Brown, Jack Grundy, Alex Worth, Adam Sutcliffe, Willis Ingleby, Gav Sharman, Conall Mason, Taylor Crowson, Wilson Crowson, James Holland, Tom Parker, Reece Callaby, Ed Williams.
