Spalding RFC bounced back from their derby defeat against Boston by beating Sleaford 36-24 in the NLD Mini Cup on Saturday.
This was a must-win game for Town against opponents who had handed them a 30-15 reverse in a friendly fixture a few weeks ago.
However, Elephants’ captain Luke Turner was able to field a full squad of 23 players with strength in depth on the bench as they took to the field at the New Ground with an air of determination within the group.
As soon as Spalding kicked off, they pinned Sleaford back in their own half and seized the initiative.
Harry Sharman carried the ball through a couple of tackles as he broke clear under the posts and with Conell Mason slotting over the conversion Spalding had the lead after eight minutes
Sleaford hit back with a successful penalty kick, but again it was Spalding’s forwards who were carrying the ball with force and this time it was Ash Anker who broke clear to score an unconverted try.
The visitors soon hit back, though, as their scrum-half twisted and turned through a couple of tackles next to Spalding’s goal posts and went over for a converted try.
For the remaining 20 minutes of the first half Spalding had the upper hand, but either Sleaford’s final tackle did the business or chances went awry.
With the half-time whistle blowing, Spalding were holding a slim two point advantage, prompting Turner to use the majority of his replacements on what was a hot afternoon.
Spalding were soon into their stride in the second half and Alex Worth was the first to strike with Mason converting.
Three minutes later it was another fresh face from bench – Miguel Da Silva – who ran through Sleaford’s tackles and scored by the posts for Mason to convert.
By now, Spalding’s confidence was sky high and centres Taylor Crowson and Wilson Crowson were making clean breaks at will with their speed and footwork.
And, with Mason joining in from full-back and fly-half Willis Ingleby orchestrating the back line, the home team were putting together some excellent free flowing moves.
Left winger Gav Sharman benefitted from one such attack as he rounded Sleaford’s last man for a further try converted by Mason.
To round-off the four-try burst, Luke Turner forced his way through and with Mason, yet again, converting Spalding had a lead of 26 points.
A sloppy finish followed, though, as Harry Exley was yellow carded and the visitors added two converted tries to reduce the deficit.
Town, who are without a game this weekend, must now wait for Sleaford to face Boston on Saturday to see how the table finishes up.
Spalding RFC: Peter Waudby, Tom Rollinson, Sam Noble, Macauley Crane, Luke Turner, Ash Anker, Will Shields, Harry Sharman, Adam Ratcliffe, Willis Inbleby, Callum Lewis, Taylor Crowson, Wilson Crowson, Gavin Sharman, Conell Mason. Subs: Sam Cooke, Harry Exley, Alex Worth, Rob Lucas, James Brand, Ben Shields, Connor Lilburn, Miguel Da Silva.
