Spalding RFC 13
Market Bosworth 32
It’s beginning to look like avoiding relegation is mission impossible for Spalding RFC after yet another damaging defeat on Saturday.
Town were turned over 32-13 by fellow strugglers Market Bosworth, leaving them 15 points from safety at the bottom of Midlands Two East (North) with eight games left.
Before kick at the Memorial Ground, The Elephants knew that a home win could start a revival in their fight against relegation – with the visitors lying only two places above them in the league.
Indeed, nothing but a home win would do for Spalding at this stage of the season.
With head coach George Reid and first team coach Bruno Figueiredo being able to field an almost identical team from the previous week, with the only changes being Taylor Crowson returning on the wing after an ankle problem and Luke Turner in at prop.
There was an expectation that a good result was in the offering – and the optimism soon translated itself into an early lead, with Bosworth infringing at a ruck and fly half James West stepping up to convert the penalty.
But the lead only lasted three minutes. Bosworth’s forwards drove deep into Spalding’s half, but the initial tackling was good and the momentum was stopped.
However, a gap was spotted with limited guard defence and Bosworth’s flanker was in under the posts for a converted try.
For the next 25 minutes the crowd were entertained, with both defences on top and both sides having their fair share of play.
Spalding’s scrum was going well and, despite Bosworth fielding a couple of tall lineout jumpers – both Mark Haighton and Ash Piccaver were securing good ball for the home team.
Josh Caley took a knock to the head in a tackle and was replaced by Mikey Watts, but on the half hour Spalding were presented with a long distance penalty.
And, with an excellent kick from West, there was just one point separating the sides.
Piccaver then showed his pace with a break from well inside his half and was tackled just five metres from the line, while Richard Cooke was rolling back the years covering every blade of grass with his tackling and breaks around the ruck.
But just before half time Bosworth also had a successful penalty kick, followed up by a catch and driving maul from a lineout on Spalding’s five metre line.
With the try being converted Bosworth’s lead had been extended to 17-6 at the break.
The second half started with both sets of forwards cancelling each other’s work out, but steadily Bosworth’s fly-half, with his running and kicking game, started to control affairs and two tries were conceded within a ten minute spell.
Another blow followed as both George Brown and Crowson took knocks while tackling, meaning Kieran Lake and Marc Miles came off the bench.
Spalding were being starved of possession but, with a deep kick to touch from a penalty, West gained valuable territory.
The lineout ball was secured and from the ensuing play Watts drove over the line for a converted try – reducing Bosworth’s lead to 19 points with 20 minutes to play.
However, Spalding were struggling to release their backs into space, limiting their attacking options and again both wingers were being starved of the ball.
Bosworth held onto the lead to run out deserved winners having scored four tries to one.
With this result and only eight league games left, a miracle will certainly be required if Town are to avoid relegation.
Spalding RFC: Luke Turner, Josh Caley, Jacob Hutson, Tom Duerden, Mark Haighton, Ash Piccaver, Richard Cooke, Harry Brown (captain), Will Shields, James West, Taylor Crowson, Harry Winch, George Brown, Gav Sharman, George Douglas. Subs: Mikey Watts, Marc Miles and Kieran Lake.
