SPALDING RFC 23
LONG EATON RFC 29
Ash Ankar saw a last-gasp try ruled out as Spalding RFC were denied a stunning victory over runaway Midlands Three East (North) leaders Long Eaton.
Saturday’s match at the Memorial Field had everything, with outstanding tries, competitive tackles and resolute defending – but Town were beaten 29-23.
Long Eaton arrived on a crest of a wave, having already established themselves as clear league leaders after only five matches.
They fielded a team mixed with experienced hands and young players from Nottingham Rugby Academy and Nottingham Trent University.
Meanwhile, Spalding welcomed back the experienced Adam McHugh at full-back, while Jacob Greaves – having recovered from a fractured collar bone – returned to the front row.
The start of the match was delayed for half an hour, with the appointed referee suffering a car breakdown on route and a replacement being summoned all the way from Doncaster.
With the match finally under way, Long Eaton soon demonstrated their handling and passing confidence in the backs.
Spalding responded in similar fashion with a planned backs call on a counter attack, but a knock on allowed the away side to pick up and score under the posts for a converted try.
The game ebbed and flowed, with scrums evenly matched and both defences on top. A rare missed tackle by the Elephants allowed Long Eaton’s outside centre a simple run in, but Spalding immediately responded with a penalty kick by Willis Ingleby.
Long Eaton extended their lead to 16 points with some excellent offloads, crossing the line in the corner for an unconverted try.
With half-time approaching, Spalding were pressing with typical runs from Ankar and Ash Piccaver in the forwards.
Scrum-half Will Shields was also looking for gaps around the break down and centres Dan Adams and Tom Wilson crashed the ball up in midfield.
Long Eaton, now resorting to some desperate tackling, saw two players yellow carded to reduce them to 13 men. Spalding kicked the penalty to the corner for a lineout and, with the ball secured, a driving maul went over the try line with Harry Brown claiming the touch down.
The second half opened with an outstanding try. From deep, McHugh burst into the line, breaking two tackles and offloaded to Gav Sharman on the left wing. Sharman seemed to have outpaced the Long Eaton defence but, as the final cover tackle came in, Adams was in support. He took the pass to score near the posts for a converted try.
The game was now opening up and Long Eaton immediately replied, taking a scrum ball against the head.
Spalding were starting to gain field possession and, with the visitors not used to being under such pressure. Ankar duly forced his way over for a try and the gap between the two sides was down to just four points.
Undeterred, Long Eaton once again demonstrated their running and passing ability. They, luckily for Spalding, butchered a couple of glorious opportunities with the final pass just evading the support runner, but their inside centre finally glided through for a try.
With five minutes left on the clock Town, led by skipper Richard Cooke, went in search of points and the away side were penalised for not releasing in the tackle.
Ingleby slotted the penalty kick over and signal the start of a Spalding charge.
With seconds left on the clock, the ball was passed out to Ingleby in the fly-half position. With Long Eaton’s defence closing, a chip kick saw Ankar catch the ball and dive over for a try.
But, to the dismay of every home supporter, the referee judged that Ankar to have been in front of the kicker and therefore offside.
Despite the late agony, Spalding gave the league leaders their hardest match of the season.
There was, at least, the consolation of losing bonus points for the Elephants, who slip to ninth in the table.
This Saturday sees Town visit Mansfield (3pm).
Spalding RFC: Kev Hudson, John Barrett, Jacob Greaves, Ash Piccaver, George Berry, Harry Brown, Richard Cooke (captain), Ash Ankar, Will Shields, Willis Ingleby, Gav Sharman, Dan Adams, Tom Wilson, Ashton Capes, Adam McHugh. Subs Luke Turner, George Brown and Harry Cole.
