Spalding 29
Stewarts & Lloyds 7
For the first time this season due to injuries, unavailability and holidays, Spalding were forced into a re-jig of the team as they welcomed Stewarts & Lloyds to the Memorial Ground on Saturday, with the visitors lying fourth in the Counties 2 Midlands East (South) league and the prospect of another tough game.
Will Shields, in the absence of Adam Sutcliffe, was playing scrum half, the experienced Mark Haighton and Harry Sharman came into the pack with young Ed Williams in on the flank, and all the backs changed positions apart from centre Gav Sharman.
The opening couple of minutes were sensational with Spalding immediately cutting lose, imposing themselves on the visitors and full back Callum Lewis slicing through S&L’s defence to score the opening try, with only two minutes on the clock.
Fly half Conall Mason slotted the conversion over and Spalding had stamped their authority on the game, with a seven-point advantage.
Experienced forwards led by captain Luke Turner, Ash Anker and Harry Sharman were putting in some decisive carries, Shields enjoying his return to scrum half showing a consistent long pass to Mason, setting his backs free to play havoc with S&L’s defence.
Pressure was mounting on the visitors as Spalding encamped themselves deep in the visitors’ twenty two.
Carries by Miguel Da Silva and Jordan Templer saw Spalding within touching distance of the try line and Sam Noble, on the burst, drove over for Spalding’s second try.
With just over a quarter of the game played, Gav Sharman scored what will count as one of the home team’s tries of the season.
From the kick off by S&L, possession was secured by Spalding and Shields and Mason combined to move the ball along the backs. Gav Sharman came into the line at pace but still in his own half. S&L’s defence parted and with a swerve he was in open space with just the visitors’ fullback to beat. His pace took him around the last defence, to score an outstanding try under the posts, duly converted.
The visitors rattled, came back at Spalding and a bit of argy bargy saw Templer shown a yellow card.
Spalding now had to defend their try line with both the forwards and backs working hard.
Mason kicked to touch and Haighton won the lineout with Mason again kicking deep. Pressure over.
Ryan Chappell had come off the bench to bolster the scrum with winger Jacob Gedney replaced.
S&L now lost a player to a yellow card and Spalding’s Noble, with a leg problem, was replaced by Harry Brown.
With a penalty conceded by the visitors, Mason with a good kick increased the lead to 22 points and Gedney was back on field in place of Templer.
The drama was not over with S&L attacking, a poor no arms tackle by centre Jack Patrick, saw him yellow carded.
The visitors threw players forward, with a one-man advantage.
With the ball moved wide and the try line beckoning, the final pass to the left winger went forward.
From the scrum Spalding’s forwards, with Williams gaining territory, setting up a ruck on the half way line, saw Harry Sharman kick high and deep. The ball bounced back infield and with Gav Sharman following up, the ball was in his hands and raced over the try line.
Mason converted and the referee blew for half time.
The second half did not start to plan for Spalding as they attacked.
With players committed upfield the ball was lost, moved quickly along their backs for their winger to score a converted try within the first minute.
Patrick returned with the game now flowing back and forth but with little threat from the visitors.
Gradually the game died as the minutes ticked away, the visitors’ threats contained by Spalding and finally the referee blew to call a halt.
Spalding secured their eighth successive win, which is an amazing turnaround from last season, but with league leaders Daventry securing a good away win, Spalding still lie second in the league, with both teams now easing away from the pack.
Town: Miguel Da Silva, Ash Anker, Luke Turner, Jordan Templer, Mark Haighton, Ed Williams, Harry Sharman, Sam Noble, Will Shields, Conall Mason, Harry Hudson, Jack Patrick, Gav Sharman, Jacob Gedney, Callum Lewis.
Subs: Ryan Chappell, Harry Brown, MaCauley Crane.
