Dronfield RFC 31
Spalding RFC 6
Spalding RFC were unable to build on a promising first-half showing as they succumbed to a 31-6 defeat at Midlands Two East (North) leaders Dronfield on Saturday.
Two penalties from James West saw Town trail by just six points at the interval, but the Derbyshire-based hosts kicked on in the second period to maintain their flawless home record.
The defeat ends Spalding’s two-game winning streak in the league and keeps them in the bottom two of the table – but there were again plenty of positives to take.
Indeed, Town’s first-half performance took the table-toppers by surprise as they produced a highly disciplined and competitive display.
Fielding a strong-looking team, the mighty Elephants were playing uphill in the first half on what was a very boggy pitch.
Town were quickly on the back foot as the home team used their forwards to pick and drive followed by the next phase, as the pattern of the match was set for the afternoon.
However, Spalding were showing great teamwork, defensive shape and discipline at the breakdown as they competed at every phase.
This started to bring its rewards as the referee began to award penalties in Spalding’s favour.
The first of these penalties was just inside Dronfield’s half and West, fly-half, stepped up with a superb kick to give the visitors an early three-point lead.
From the restart Dronfield were able to camp themselves in Town’s half as the forwards did the hard work. Within five minutes their fly-half spotted a gap around the fringes of a ruck and was in for an unconverted try.
He followed this up with some astute kicking for territory, pinning Town back at every stage.
Spalding were not on the back foot all of the time, with some strong carries by Jay Harwood. And, when decent ball was moved to the backs, Harry Harrison impressed with his speed.
Harry Lane’s handling of the high ball on the left wing was also exemplary.
A further penalty given away for holding on by Dronfield at the breakdown gave West the opportunity to successfully kick a further penalty.
But Dronfield’s lead was soon restored with a pushover try as the Spalding forwards struggled for any grip.
Although Dronfield lost a player to a yellow card, they held on to a 12-6 advantage at half time.
The match was now set up for Spalding to take control with the sloping pitch in their favour and a set of backs to run and create havoc.
It didn’t work out that way though as, from the restart kick by Dronfield, Town failed to gather in the ball and this seemed to set the tone for the second half.
The home team continued to do the basics well through their forwards retaining possession and having the edge over Jordan Templer and Harry Sharman in the lineouts.
A ten-minute spell mid-way through the second half then ended Spalding’s hopes.
Unsurprisingly, possession was being retained and driven forward by Dronfield and a pass out to their centre saw him break a couple of weak tackles and was in under the posts.
They then capitalised at a lineout as Spalding elected not to compete but instead tried to stop the driving maul, with little success. This was followed by a further try under the posts and the game was lost.
Spalding regrouped and from the base of their scrums Sharman often released West to break and either kick for territory or release Harrison or George Douglas for runs down the flanks.
Ryan Chappell was trying to lead the way with a couple of good carries, but was receiving little support from Harwood who had been prominent in the first half as he drifted out of the game.
All of the subs came on to bring fresh legs for the final efforts.
Spalding encamped themselves within Dronfield’s 22 metre area for the last five minutes, but poor execution and decision making let them down as they strove for the final score.
After an excellent first half display, Town’s game plan did not work out in the second half as they failed to play with the same intesity.
They’ll hope for better this Saturday when they play host to mid-table Mansfield at the Memorial Field.
Spalding RFC: Pete Waudby, Sam Cooke Captain, Sam Cowell, Tim Waltham, Jordan Templer, Jay Harwood, Ryan Chappell, Harry Sharman, Will Shields, James West, Harry Lane, Sion
Williams, Harry Harrison, George Douglas and Josh Broome. Subs (all used): John Barrett, Josh Caley and George Brown.
Saturday’s fixtures (2.15pm)
Ashbourne v Coalville; Nottingham Casuals v Melbourne; Southwell v Market Bosworth; Spalding v Mansfield; Stamford v Dronfield; West Bridgford v Bakewell Mannerians.
