Spalding RFC 31
Newark RFC 33
Spalding RFC narrowly missed out on a place in the semi-finals of the NLD Cup after losing a thrilling clash with old foes Newark 31-33 on Saturday.
The lead changed six times between the two rivals at the Memorial Field, with Town boasting a ten-point advantage at half-time.
But Newark, who play a level higher than the Elephants, hit back to edge a memorable quarter-final clash by two points.
With both sides making similar starts to their respective seasons, hopes were always high for a cup cracker.
Making a welcome return to Spalding was Sam Forrest on the right wing and although missing through injury, five or six regular players, the team still looked strong on paper, especially the forwards pack.
The opening exchanges saw Newark settle into a familiar style of play, using their forwards to control matters and retaining possession, with play being in Spalding’s half. They soon drew a penalty at the breakdown, but the long range kick was short.
Town were easing themselves into the game, led by Harry Sharman, John Barrett and Luke Turner taking their forward play to the visitors with forceful carries, and a ruck was established approximately ten metres from the posts.
Having drawn Newark’s defence in, scrum-half Ben Shields, passed wide to his backs and an overlap was created for debutant winger Forrest to open the scoring.
The visitors responded shortly afterwards with a converted try, but Spalding now had the measure of their play with the scrums going with the put in and edging the breakdown area.
It was Spalding’s backs who shone with Adam McHugh, on his return, crashing through a couple of attempted tackles at pace and over for a try that was converted by Willis Ingleby.
Disappointingly, the Elephants did not deal with the restart and gave away territory immediately. From a lineout, Newark’s forwards made inroads into Spalding’s defence for their second converted try – and a two-point lead after half an hour.
When they had decent possession, Spalding’s backs were causing problems and it was left winger Gav Sharman who rounded the wide defence and, with the conversion, the hosts had re-established their early lead.
Just before half-time, the rain started to fall heavily – but this did not stop Luke Turner crashing over for Town’s fourth try and a ten-point lead.
From the re-start, Newark stepped up their intensity with their forwards edging the battle and prop Josh Caley was trapped and spotted not rolling away at a ruck and received a yellow card. With a one-man advantage in the scrum, the away side immediately capitalised, driving
Spalding backwards for a converted try.
Then, at around the 60-minute mark, the visitors took control of the match orchestrated by their fly-half Matt Cox.
From a scrum, the ball was passed out quickly, he cut back inside and with his strong running he broke the first tackle and was in under the posts.
Next, his strong running set up the platform for his forwards to carry over and, within a two-minute spell, Spalding had gone from a five-point lead to a nine-point deficit.
With 20 minutes still remaining, there was time for Spalding to come back into the game and, using the forwards and Ash Piccaver and Ash Anker in particular with their strong carries, they established themselves deep into Newark’s 22.
And, as pressure mounted, Newark conceded a penalty try and their lead was down to two points with 12 minutes of play left.
That meant that just one further score by Spalding would do. However as hard as Town tried, Newark rode out the remaining minutes.
With both teams scoring five tries apiece, the game was decided by the number of successful kicks and – with three successful conversions to
Spalding’s two – the visitors were into the NLD Cup semi finals.
Spalding return to Midlands Three East (North) action this weekend when they visit Rolls Royce (2.15pm).
Spalding RFC: Jacob Greaves, John Barrett, Josh Caley, Ash Piccaver, Luke Turner, Edward Williams, Ash Anker, Harry Sharman, Ben Shields, Willis Ingleby, Sam Forrest, Tom Wilson, Adam McHugh, Gav Sharman, George Douglas. Subs: Will Shields, Julian Davis and Macauley Crane.
Saturday’s fixtures (2.15pm): Kesteven v Buxton; Mansfield v Belper; Nottingham Casuals v Bakewell Mannerians; Nottingham Moderns v Ashfield; Rolls Royce v Spalding; Sleaford v Tupton.
