Rushden & Higham 38
Spalding RFC 13
It’s now five defeats from six matches this season for Spalding RFC after Rushden and Higham handed them a 38-13 reverse in the RFU Intermediate Cup on Saturday.
Town, who have lost three Midlands Two East (North) games and were also seen off by Stamford in the NLD Cup, were soundly beaten by their Midlands Two East (South) hosts.
Rushden and Higham were actually promoted last season, meaning Spalding were two levels higher than them this time last year.
After impressing in the early games for the second team, Town handed Bruno Figueirido maiden first team start at lock, while Harry Harrison, making a welcome return from university, played at outside centre and partnered Ben Williamson, who also was making a welcome return to the team.
Spalding kicked off and took an early lead thanks to a 25-metre penalty, which full-back Josh Broome converted.
The home side responded as Spalding were penalised for playing the ball on the ground at the breakdown. A kick to touch saw Rushden win the lineout ball to establish a driving maul, using their bigger and heavier forward.
Town escaped when the referee gave a knock on over the line, but the host soon capitalised on a missed defensive tackles to open their scoring under the posts for a converted try.
This opened the door for Rushden to dominate the first half – but Town’s task was not helped by a yellow card to Sam Cooke for infringing as a quick tap penalty was taken. During the ten minutes of numerical disadvantage, the home team ran in three tries with the Spalding defence being exposed by the speed of their left winger.
Just before half time one of the home team’s big forwards was red carded for illegal use of the boot at a breakdown, but they were already 24-3 ahead and in control of the game.
Spalding started the second half with a period of pressure as they built through several phases of play with the forwards making ground. But the home team’s defence held and the advantage was lost with a turnover being conceded.
Again using their superior strength within the forwards, Rushden established a good driving maul following a lineout on the ten metres to move further ahead and this was followed by three missed tackles in midfield for a converted try and a lead of 38-3.
With a further 20 minutes to play another heavy defeat was on the cards – but suddenly Spalding started to play, passing the ball along the three quarters and finding gaps in the home defence and gaining territory. Williamson and Harrisons carried well, supported in particular by forwards Ash Piccaver and Jordan Templer, who were finding space to use their speed and strength.
Piccaver then went over for the visitors’ first try.
Moments later fly-half Adam McHugh made a superb break down the middle. From the breakdown, the forwards carried the momentum, but Piccaver knocked on as he dived over the line.
Undeterred, Broome kicked a penalty into touch and, although the lineout ball was initially lost, John Barrett won it back and the resulting drive by Piccaver secured his second try of the day.
The dominant play that Spalding showed during the last 20 minutes is hopefully a indication that progress is being made in their bid for a first win of the season.
Spalding RFC: Sam Cowell, Josh Caley, John Barrett, Bruno Figueirido, Kieran Bailey, Ash Piccaver, Sam Cooke, captain, Jordan Templer, Will Shields, Adam McHugh, Kieran Lake, Ben Williamson, Harry Harrison, Charlie Seconde, Josh Broome, Jake Reid, George Douglas and Dan Adams.
Saturday: Spalding RFC v Market Bosworth (3pm).
