Biggleswade 20
Spalding 15
This was the first time for many a year that Spalding travelled down to Biggleswade for their return league game with the home team buoyant having beaten third placed Rushden & Higham the previous week.
Spalding knew they were in for a tough game, but took to the field in confident mood fielding a strong looking team.
From the kick off Spalding had possession and worked their way into the opposition territory with big carries from Sam Noble and Luke Turner forcing Biggleswade to kick to touch.
From the lineout won by George Douglas and driving maul established, flanker Will Shields dived over the try line for a five point lead, with only three minutes on the clock.
This setback seemed to spur the home team on, as they got themselves into the game based on a solid set scrum and their fly half using the wind to gain territory testing fullback Jack Patrick.
But soon a copycat of Spalding’s opening try saw them over the try line to level the scores.
Spalding were trying to spread the ball along their backs. A crash ball move involving George Brown ten metres out nearly opened up Biggleswade’s defence and a few minutes later they had a consolation penalty kick to regain the lead.
Further openings on either side of the pitch saw a pass with an overlap on the right wing to Ben Shields not go to hand and on the left wing James Luto was held up over the try line.
Both teams had upped their intensity, closing down space, with defences on top but Biggleswade were edging the competition and a high tackle by Spalding brought a penalty try for the home team.
Spalding looked to have weathered the storm with the clock approaching half time winning the final breakdown battle and a penalty awarded.
Back chat from Conall Mason resulted in the penalty being reversed and with an easy kick in front of the posts the home teams lead was seven points.
For the first 20 minutes of the second half Spalding were pinned back in their own half, with Spalding’s scrum coming under increasing pressure.
Finally a scrum to Spalding, on their 5m line, saw Bigglewade destroy the set piece, win the turnover and drive over for an unconverted try.
With time ticking away, Spalding were edging themselves back into the game and with a lovely penalty kick to touch by Mason, Ash Piccaver won the lineout ball set up a driving maul but within a couple of metres from the line.
Biggleswade stole the ball and cleared their lines to touch giving Spalding a second chance.
Again Piccaver won the lineout ball and the maul was set.
Driven at pace, Will Shields grabbing his second try and with a good conversion from out wide, Spalding were within five points.
Spalding had Biggleswade under pressure but that final cutting edge was missing in the last ten minutes and they had to come away with a losing bonus point instead.
With four defeats since the Christmas break, remarkably Spalding remain in second place in the Counties 2 Midlands East (South) league and will be looking to get back into winning ways next week at home against Northampton BBOB, KO 2.15pm.
Team: Tom Parker, Ash Anker, Luke Turner, Ash Piccaver, George Douglas, Ed Williams, Will Shields, Sam Noble, Adam Sutcliffe, Conall Mason, Ben Shields, George Brown, Gav Sharman, James Luto, Jack Patrick, Subs Richard Stevenson, Macauley Crane.
