Spalding 10 Daventry 14
Counties One Midlands East (South) leaders Daventry showed their pedigree to earn a narrow victory at Centenary Park.
With a good home crowd in support along the touchlines and a firm pitch, Spalding kicked off and immediately both teams’ defences cut down space and tackles flew in.
George Brown, on his return to the home team, on the flank gained territory with some big carries alongside captain Luke Turner as they set the tone.
However, Daventry were well organised and with powerful runners it would be a testing afternoon, especially for Spalding’s centres Conall Mason and Jack Patrick.
Mason converted a penalty to open the scoring after 15 minutes. Competition was becoming intense, especially at the breakdown, and the referee had to call the two captains together to talk to their teams for late tackles.
Shortly afterwards Ash Ankar, on his return to the side after a few weeks out, took a knock to the head and was replaced by Miguel Da Silva.
The interval arrived with Spalding maintaining their 3-0 lead, becoming the first team this season to deny Daventry a point on the half-time scoreboard, the first team this season.
Daventry stepped up their game after the break and their pressure told when they drove over the try line and a successful conversion put them 7-3 ahead after three minutes.
Although Daventry had a heavier pack, Spalding’s scrum was going well and Adam Sutcliffe was able to get his passes away, giving the option to Willis Ingleby to kick for territory or set the backs running.
Both teams missed kickable penalties as the tension mounted and Ed Booth, on his return after four years abroad, replaced full-back Ryan Firth.
Both teams had success turning the ball over at the breakdown but Mason was exceptional.
A drive by Spalding’s forwards was held up over the line and Daventry cashed in when the visitors’ forwards doubled their team’s score with a converted try with ten minutes remaining.
Spalding showed their determination to get back into the game and were awarded a series of penalties as Daventry defended in their 22.
Jack Grundy’s thrusts broke several Daventry tackles to put Spalding two metres short of the try line. The forwards were in control of their rucks as they edged forward, but Daventry were defending for their lives.
Instead of continuing through the forwards, Spalding opted to release the ball to the backs who were hunted down and the opportunity was lost.
But Spalding came again, helped by some dissent from Daventry, who conceded a further ten metres. Sutcliffe whipped the ball out to Ingleby and instead of passing, angled a superb arching run to glide in. Mason’s conversion saw Daventry’s lead narrowed to four points with three minutes remaining.
Daventry showed how to play out time, retaining possession successfully to win a high-quality game and demonstrate why they are league leaders.
The score line could easily have been the other way but in the red zone Spalding failed to take their opportunities.
Spalding: Ankar, Rollinson, Turner, Douglas, McKerracher, Brown, W Shields, Grundy, Sutcliffe, Ingleby, B Shields, Mason, Patrick, Sharman, Firth. Subs: Da Silva, Christie, Booth.
Spalding’s second team were back to winning ways with an excellent 52-5 success at Stamford College Old Boys.
