Spalding RFC were knocked out of the RFU Midlands Division Cup on Saturday after a late flurry of points from St Ives at the Memorial Field.
Town matched their opponents for an hour of the showdown and were just a point off the pace at one stage, but a spree of injuries allowed the visitors to secure a 45-18 success.
Buoyed by last week’s fine home win against Birstall, Spalding confidently took to the field, with only two changes, with Kieran Bailey starting at open side flanker and Tom Wilson in at centre for Dan Adams
St Ives were the better side in the early exchanges and a ruck infringement saw the visitors take a 3-0 lead with a successful penalty.
Spalding were following the same game plan as last week, with their forwards driving forward – but a break down the left wing, started by a good pass out from Richard Cooke, to Harry Brown onto George Douglas who continued the move releasing Gav Sharman on the left wing, to run in for the opening try converted by Willis Ingleby
Mid-way through the first half, St Ives showed their pace and passing ability with first their right winger with pace and a clever side step going in at the corner and shortly afterwards, a flowing backs move put their left wing in at the other corner
With both lineouts going well and scrums relatively even, Town’s forwards exerted pressure on the St Ives try line, but the away defence was solid and – with a couple of scoring opportunities wasted through poor execution – the tables were turned as St Ives pressure resulted in a simple run in to extend their half-time lead to 13 points
The opening five minutes of the second half saw Spalding hit back with some scintillating three-quarters play. Excellent passing along the backs saw Sharman in at the corner.
Then Ashton Capes lit up the afternoon, taking a pass on the half way line and outpacing St Ives’s cover tackles to score by the posts.
With Ingleby converting, the Elephants had moved to within a point of their rivals.
Injuries then disrupted Spalding with initially Ash Anker and Ash Piccaver forced off, then Jacob Hutson and George Douglas.
With all of the substitutes now on the field – and a few players out of position – the team’s cohesion was lost, with the forwards tiring from their first-half efforts.
St Ives capitalised and put pressure on the Spalding try line, resulting in a three on two overlap for their next try.
Spalding’s scrum was now suffering and a turnover ball saw the visiting left winger go over the corner.
Meanwhile, Town’s penalty count started to mount, giving territory and possession away and a lineout catch and drive brought further rewards for St Ives.
Worse was to follow, as George Brown was the fifth player forced to leave the field. That led to one more try from St Ives, which came from their scrum driving forward.
For 60 minutes this was a highly entertaining game with two evenly matched teams challenging each other with some excellent tries scored by the wingers.
However the efforts exerted by Spalding forwards took their toll in the second half and, with the number of injured players, St Ives were able to seize control and pull away to win well.
This Saturday sees Town host Grimsby (3pm) in Midlands Two East (North).
Spalding RFC: Luke Turner, Tom Rollinson, Jacob Hutson, Ash Piccaver, Harry Brown, Ash Ankar, Kieran Bailey, Jason Steels, Richard Cooke (captain), Willis Ingleby, Gav Sharman, George Brown, Tom Wilson, Ashton Capes, George Douglas. Subs: George Reid, Taylor Crowson and Ben Shields.
Saturday’s results (Midlands Two East North): Birstall 10 Ashby 45; Grimsby 20 Sleaford 24; Kesteven 40 Sileby Town 5; Long Eaton 48 Rolls Royce 14; Mansfield 32 Nottingham Moderns 26.
