Nottingham Casuals 26
Spalding RFC 3
Spalding RFC are still waiting for their first away victory of the season after suffering a 26-3 defeat at Midlands Three East (North) leaders Nottingham Casuals on Saturday.
Town, who have been flawless at home, have now lost all three of their fixtures on the road and slip to seventh place as a result.
The Elephants are now 13 points off table-topping Casuals after six games ahead of this Saturday’s home clash with mid-table rivals Nottingham Moderns (2.15pm).
This trip to unbeaten league leaders Casuals was always going to be a challenge – but at half-time Spalding had them worried after taking an early lead with a penalty kick and only conceding a push over try when reduced to 14 players with five minutes of the half remaining.
There were several changes to last week’s team who had taken Mansfield to the cleaners. Last year’s captain Richard Cooke started at openside flanker, with Kev Hudson back at lock.
Making his debut in the forwards was Edward Williams, who has come up through the juniors and also managed a year of senior rugby last season for the Nomads.
Also making a return to Spalding from Sleaford was Dan Cooper, in at centre alongside Tom Wilson
In good conditions, Casuals started brightly but soon found that Spalding were well organised, closing space down and tackling strongly.
The referee was quick to spot infringements, with both sides being caught not releasing the ball quickly enough when tackled.
In the forwards, Cooke was relishing being back in the team and his tackle count for the game was outstanding, with Harry Sharman not far behind.
After eight minutes Town mounted some pressure deep in Casuals territory, who infringed at the breakdown.
Willis Ingleby stepped up to convert the penalty kick for a three-point lead.
Casuals responded by starting to spread the ball out along their backs and both wingers Gav Sharman and Ben Shields were tested for pace, with only good covering tackles nullifying any threats.
Centres Cooper and Wilson were closing space down effectively and tackling well, too.
By now, the forwards were constantly challenging each other and – with the scrums going with the put in – Spalding, through Harry Sharman, were driving forward from the base of the scrums.
But Casuals were building momentum deep inside Spalding’s 22. The penalty count started to mount and finally Ash Piccaver took a team yellow card for offside at the ruck.
The resulting scrum was on the five metre line and, with a man advantage, they drove forward for a push over try.
However, the Elephants were able to see out the remaining period before the half time whistle. With only a two point margin Spalding had shocked Casuals with their determination and their well-structured defence.
On the resumption Casuals started to play with more freedom, offloading to support players and their tricky full-back started to dance through gaps created.
But they were caught tackling a Spalding player off the ball and the yellow card was shown.
This was followed fairly swiftly by Harry Sharman also being yellow carded for a late tackle – and, with the offence being near the try line, the hosts capitalised and the scrum drove forward for a push over try that was duly converted.
Now playing their running rugby, the hosts were growing in confidence and found room to support their players. Eventually, they created a gap in Spalding’s defence for their third try.
Despite the scoreline, Town dug deep and battled through. Substitute Chris Davies had came on at full-back, with Conall Mason moving to fly-half and Ingleby to flanker.
However, Casuals had a five-metre scrum with the last play of the game. Their scrum-half duly capitalised on a blind-side move for their bonus point try .
Despite the defeat, it was a spirited performance from Spalding against the top team in the league. And, with the two debutants settling in well, coach George Reid will have some challenges for next week’s team selection.
Spalding RFC: Jacob Greaves, John Barrett, Josh Caley, Ash Piccaver, Kev Hudson, Edward Williams, Richard Cooke, Harry Sharman, Will Shields, Willis Ingleby, Gav Sharman, Dan Cooper, Tom Wilson, Ben Shields, Conall Mason. Sub: Chris Davies.
