With the start of all community rugby leagues delayed by the RFU by two weeks, Spalding took 25 players, combination of Firsts and 1923s over to Kettering on Saturday to take on their first team squad.
This was always going to be a tough pre-season game with Kettering playing one league above in Midlands Regional Two and finishing fifth last season.
Spalding conceded a try in the opening two minutes as Kettering’s centre crashed through Spalding’s stretched defence, followed within five minutes by their right winger being feed from a five metre scrum to score out wide.
A flowing back’s move by Spalding saw Willis Ingleby touch down by the corner flag, after 15 minutes but by half time the home team had started to show their class and ability to finish, running in three further tries.
Spalding, with a bigger squad, started to make changes bringing on fresh legs, conceding only two further tries in the full second half.
This was a very good run out for the players with a number of learning points for the coaching team to take on board.
Next up will be Wisbech at home on Saturday (September 19), KO 3pm and the following week, September 26, first team’s league season will start with a home fixture against Southwell
Saturday’s squad: Parker, Humphreys, Pentecost, Douglas, Hobson, Firth, Lambe, Brown, Shields, Ingleby, Beecham, Booth, Bowser, Sharman, Machin, Brundle, Medlock, Pite, Roy, Christie, Bettinson, Sorrell Duce and McGee.
