BUXTON RFC 43
SPALDING RFC 0
Spalding RFC suffered a heavy 43-0 defeat at Buxton on Saturday to stay seventh in Midlands Three East (North) after five games.
In what was the first meeting between the two sides in recent memory, Town were always up against it after the lengthy three-hour trip to the Peak District.
With a few regular players missing through injury and unavailability, the Elephants arrived at a ground shrouded in mist – with rain falling that persisted throughout the game. And, with Buxton’s pitches being situated at the highest altitude in England, the writing was perhaps on the wall for Town to have a tough afternoon in this mid-table clash.
Spalding started with the assistance of the wind and rain on a playing surface in remarkably good condition.
Conall Mason was making his first start in the team at fly-half, while Will Shields returned to his regular scrum-half position following a statutory break for concussion.
Dan Adams also switched to full-back and Ben Shields came in on the left wing to replace the in-form Gav Sharman
Not unexpectedly, Buxton’s forwards – although held in the scrum – started to make regular surges deep into Spalding territory, using their heavy but mobile back row to carry the ball.
Resolute Town defence saw the away side hold their line for 20 minutes before the opening try was scored, followed by a penalty kick shortly afterwards
With the wind gusting downfield, throwing in at the lineouts was tricky. But John Barrett soon mastered the art and had a particularly good game.
Luke Turner and Ash Piccaver were in the thick of things all afternoon and, with captain Richard Cooke leading by example with the highest tackle count, it was not until shortly before half time that Buxton extended their lead to 15 points with a further unconverted try.
Turning to face an uphill battle into the rain and wind and with Buxton on a charge, Spalding’s players were called upon to display courage and determination.
Unexpectedly for the first ten minutes of the second half, Spalding dominated and encamped themselves in home territory.
Indeed, only poor execution with their pick and drives around the breakdown denied the away side an opening try.
Shortly afterwards another surge up field saw Spalding have field position five metres from the line and a charge by Harry Cole saw his effort denied by a couple of inches.
The home team came alive and turned on their forward power, especially the number eight, who had an excellent game and will shortly be off to Macclesfield in National One.
The points conceded total started to mount up and every time Spalding made territory, especially lead by Ash Ankar at the base of scrum, Buxton, kicked deep to the corners, pinning them back.
Beaten but not outclassed, Spalding will look forward to reversing the scoreline in the reverse fixture at home at the end of the season.
This Saturday sees Spalding back at the Memorial Field, where they are unbeaten in the league this season. Unbeaten league leaders Long Eaton are the visitors (3pm).
Spalding RFC: Kev Hudson, John Barrett, George Reid, Ash Piccaver, Luke Turner, Harry Cole, Richard Cooke, Captain, Ash Ankar, Will Shields, Connall Mason, Ben Shields, Tom Wilson, George Berry, Aston Capes, Dan Adams.
