Matlock RFC 74
Spalding RFC 0
Struggling Spalding RFC failed to make their game in hand pay on Saturday as the slipped ever-closer to the relegation trapdoor in Midlands Two East (North).
For the second successive week Town failed to even register a point against one of the league’s high-fliers, as Matlock moved up to second place with a crushing 74-0 success.
The defeat – their heaviest of the season to date – leaves the Elephants rock bottom of the table and some 20 points from safety with just six games left to play this season
The clash was the only game to take place in the division over the weekend, having been postponed two weeks previous after a car carrying three Spalding players crashed en-route to the Derbyshire.
There were no such incidents on Saturday, with a full squad arriving in good time. Kev Hudson and Kieran Bailey were in the pack stepping up from the seconds, replacing the injured Jason Steels and the unavailable Tom Duerden.
Will Shields was at fly-half to accommodate Richard Cooke playing scrum-half, while wing Brian Browne was featuring for the first time this season
Matlock are always very formidable at their very scenic home ground – but on Saturday they were chasing a bonus point win to take them up to second in the league.
Immediately from the kick-off, the home team pressed Spalding back on the defensive, only for strong tackling to stop the initial thrusts. However, a penalty was conceded and Matlock kicked for a lineout just five metres from the try line.
With the lineout ball secured, a planned blind side move was well executed and the first try was on the score board.
Spalding replied by taking the game deep into Matlock’s half with the referee awarding a penalty this time to Spalding, who kicked to touch for a lineout.
Matlock stole the lineout ball, though, and rapidly moved the ball along their backs to set up a counter attack.
The contrast in execution between Matlock, with their successful lineout followed by a planned move leading to a score, and Town failing to secure their own ball in a similar position, illustrated the difference between the two teams.
Spalding were further disrupted when experienced centre Ben Williamson, was injured while tackling, with Mark Elsey moving from the wing and Browne coming off the bench
For the next 20 minutes the well-drilled Matlock team played at pace, moving the ball along the backs and finding space.
Aided by some missed tackles, their left winger had a field day and ran in a hat-trick of tries.
Spalding had few chances to threaten Matlock in the first half, but when the opportunity arose through the award of a penalty, poor decision making meant that instead of going for a scrum where they had an upper hand, they elected instead to kick for a lineout, which was lost.
By half-time, and with the score being 38-0, it was a matter of how many Spalding would concede.
However, with players such as half-backs Cooke and Shields never giving up and experienced front row player John Barrett giving sterling service, well supported by Jacob Hutson, Luke Turner and Bailey, the team continued to give 100 per cent effort
However as soon as Matlock moved the ball wide to their backs – and with more and more space opening up – a further five tries were run in with no reply.
By the end, Matlock were sitting second in the league with Spalding remaining in dire straits at the bottom.
The 74-point margin of defeat surpasses the 78-14 beating suffered at Ashbourne of December 17 as the worst reverse suffered by the Elephants this season and is their 15th loss from 16 games so far.
This Saturday (2.15pm) sees Town visit Newark, the only side they have managed to beat so far this season.
Only a repeat of that result with give them any kind of hope of launching the most unlikely of great escapes.
Spalding RFC: Mikey Watts, Jacob Hutson, John Barrett, Luke Turner, Kev Hudson, Kieran Bailey, Ash Piccaver, Harry Brown, Richard Cooke, Will Shields, Mark Elsey, Ben Williamson, George Brown, Gav Sharman and George Douglas. Subs: Brian Browne, Harry Cole and Bruno Figueiredo.
