Spalding 45
Boston 7
Spalding welcomed local rivals Boston to the Memorial Ground on Saturday in a quarter final NLD Shield Cup game.
Both teams play at the same level but in different leagues, with Boston having won promotion as run-away champions, whilst Spalding won promotion as runners up in their league.
Two years ago Boston, at their ground, had run out winners in a cup game against Spalding by 30 points to 17, so in front of a large home crowd for the last ever game at the Memorial Ground before relocating to their new ground, everybody was looking forward to a cracking competitive local derby.
The opening 15 minutes saw both teams probing each other with defences on top with no quarter given but Spalding were edging the breakdown battle with flanker Will Shields standing out.
With glorious weather and the pitch in superb condition, Spalding started to spread the ball along the backs orchestrated by scrum half Jim Wraith and fly half Ryan Firth.
Gav Sharman made a break down the left wing, stopped 5m from the try line, support play secured the ruck and the ball was recycled to Ben Shields in the mix off his right wing to score out wide and with an excellent conversion by Firth – the home side had the early advantage.
Boston scrum had a slight edge but captain Luke Turner and fellow forwards Macaulay Crane and Dan Adams were starting to punch holes in the Boston defence with some big carries.
Having established field position, the ball flowed through the hands of centres Connal Mason and Taylor Crowson, with full back Jack Patrick bursting down the left evading tackles to score Spalding’s second try and with another good conversion by Firth, Spalding had a 14-point advantage.
Mason was injured whilst making a tackle and replaced by Willis Ingleby.
Boston were using their forwards with driving mauls to get back into the game but with a scrum awarded 5m from Spalding’s try line, they were penalised for an early engagement, with Ingleby kicking the penalty deep to touch.
In the lineout George Douglas was dominant for Spalding, well supported by Will Shields at the front of the lineout.
It looked like Spalding had scored their third try by the left corner flag but it was ruled out for offside. Shortly afterwards a quick tap penalty caught Boston’s defence out, setting left wing Ben Shields free to evade several missed tackles for his second try and just before half time on the other wing Sharman outpaced Boston’s defence for his opening converted try and at half time Spalding had a commanding lead of 26 points.
It was more of the same in the second half with Spalding backs running and passing with confidence as more and more space was opening up, with Boston unable to match the pace.
From a rock solid Spalding scrum based on the front row of Tom Parker, Ash Anker and Turner, the ball was moved along the line by the centre combination of Taylor Crowson and Ingleby finding Sharman with room to show his pace hugging the line to score out wide.
Next up was fullback Patrick who skipped and turned his way through Boston’s defensive line to score under the posts and Spalding were now well clear.
Boston were still battling away through their forwards and at a ruck Turner went through, off his feet to clear out, much to Boston’s displeasure and was shown a yellow card.
Boston took advantage and drove forward to score under the posts for their solitary converted try.
However Spalding were not finished and it was Sharman down the left wing who secured his hat trick running in by the posts and with a simple conversion Spalding had secured an NLD Semi Final spot away to Gainsborough on May 13.
Coach Ali Sharp said it was some of the best backs play he had seen from Spalding and it was encouraging for next season.
Team: Tom Parker, Ash Anker, Luke Turner, George Douglas, Macaulay Crane, Dan Adams, Will Shields, George Brown, Jim Wraith, Ryan Firth, Gav Sharman, Connal Mason, Taylor Crowson, Gav Sharman, Jack Patrick. Subs: Ryan Medlock, Wilson Crowson, Sam Noble, Willis Ingleby.
