Spalding 12 Newbold on Avon 10.
For the fifth match in a row at the start of the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) season, fewer than six points separated the teams but, at last it was Spalding who finished on top.
After two draws and 29-24 and 17-13 defeats, the Elephants secured their first win of the season after dominating the scrum and lineout.
However, they wasted a number of scoring opportunities and had to hang on during the last 15 minutes
Sam Christie outpaced the visitors defence to open the scoring and Henry Duce converted for a seven-point lead after 10 minutes.
After flanker Jack Patrick gained valuable yards evading tackles, a thrust over the try line saw Lochlan Summers go over for an unconverted try to make it 12-0 at half-time.
Despite having lost the benefit of the strong wind they had enjoyed in the first half, Spalding remained in control but were denied another score when prop Sam Cowell went over only for the referee to judge the ball had been held up.
A penalty kick got Newbold on the scoreboard and they then caught Spalding’s defence out to score a converted try to make it 12-10 with 15 minutes still to play.
Play was end to end and Spalding had further opportunities through their scrum five metres from try line but again squandered possession before hooker Tom Rollinson kicked the ball dead for the referee to blow for full time.
Spalding: Cowell, Rollinson, Turner, Templer, McKerrancher, Patrick, W Shields, Summers, Wraith, Duce, B Shields, Brett, Sharman, Christie, Machin. Subs: Da Silva, Zokas, Canham.
