Spalding RFC secured an immediate return to Midlands One East after a superb 24-14 win over Newbold on Avon in Saturday’s promotion play-off.
Harry Sharman and Ben Williams scored crucial tries for Town at the Memorial Field, with James West kicking the rest of the points in the winner-takes-all clash.
The two teams exchanged penalty scorers early on, with West twice seeing successful kicks cancelled out by Newbold’s Joss Andrews to make it 6-6.
Midlands Two East (N) runners-up Town then flexed their muscles as they opened up an important lead thanks to another West penalty and a Duerden try, which was converted to make it 16-6.
However, the visitors from Midlands Two East (S) battled back just before the break when Spalding’s Andy Hoyles was yellow carded, allowing them to add an unconverted score to reduce the deficit to 16-11.
The second period saw Town add to their lead through West, before Andrews kicked another three points for Newbold to take the score on to 19-14.
With nerves building at the Memorial Field, Williams then scored the biggest try of Town’s season to put them in firm command at 24-14.
Captain Sharman and his side saw out the closing few minutes to seal a season-defining win and spark wild celebrations.
With a Lincs Cup final against Scunthorpe left to play on May 5, Spalding are on-course for one of their best seasons in recent memory.
More in Thursday’s Spalding and South Holland Voice.
