Boston 30 Spalding RFC 15
Spalding RFC suffered a 30-15 derby defeat at rivals Boston on Saturday in what was their first competitive fixture in 15 months.
Playing in a mini competition organised by the NLD, Town fielded a new-look side that featured a number of first-team debutants.
Spalding started the better of the two sides in the all-Lincolnshire affair, with Connel Mason kicking an early penalty – but within minutes Boston were back on level terms with their first successful penalty kick.
The home team then started to get on top, being quicker to rucks and half way through the first half they pulled ahead – firstly with a penalty, followed by a converted try and then with another penalty to Boston.
At the other end, a sweeping move launched by Gav Sharman – coming of the left wing and cutting Boston’s defence – saw the ball moved swiftly on by centres George Brown and Tom Birdseye and right wing Callum Lewis finished off with a stunning Spalding try.
The Elephants suffered a blow just before half-time as Mason went off with an ankle injury, resulting in Harry Brown coming off the bench.
That saw Harry Waine moving into the threequarters and Charlie Beecham up to fly-half.
The start of the second half saw Boston ease further ahead as Spalding seemed to stop play awaiting a decision from the referee and the home team capitalised, running the length of the field for a converted try and a 15-point lead.
Ash Piccaver and Miguel Da Silva were leading Spalding’s fightback with excellent carries and breaks, but too many times the support play wasn’t there.
Charlie Beecham, with a stunning run, was inches from scoring but was rewarded a few minutes later as he successfully converted his first try on debut.
Fellow newcomer, scrum-half Adam Sutcliffe, was showing his excellent passing from rucks and will be a valuable addition with his experience, while Henry Williams also performed well at the lineout on his first appearance.
However, despite all of the positives Boston added their final try just before the final whistle to seal the victory.
This was Luke Turner’s first match as captain and he was pleased with the effort the lads put in, but there will need to be some work put in during training with the next leg of this NLD Cup completion at home up at the club’s New Ground next Saturday against Sleaford (3pm).
Town: Luke Turner, Tom Rollinson, Sam Noble, Ash Piccaver, Miguel Da Silva, Ed Williams, Harry Waine, Will Shields, Adam Sutcliffe, Connel Mason, Callum Lewis, George Brown, Tom Birdseye, Gav Sharman, Charlie Beecham. Subs: Henry Williams, Harry Brown.
