Spalding RFC’s slim hopes of beating the drop in Midlands One East took a big hit on Saturday as they were thrashed 81-12 at relegation rivals Newark.
Two of the bottom three before kick off, Town had hoped to grab an elusive first victory of the campaign in a game some at the club consider a derby.
Indeed, head coach Ben Williams felt it was a “must-win” match for his side prior to kick-off. But the disappointing defeat, a 21st from as many league matches, leaves Spalding 26 points behind third-from bottom Newark with just five games left to play.
A report from the match will be online at www.spaldingvoice.co.uk early next week.
RESULTS
Midlands One East: Huntingdon & District 25 Syston 29; Ilkeston 24 Derby 21; Kettering 52 Bugbrooke 8; Mansfield 39 Belgrave 6; Market Rasen & Louth 0 Bedford Athletic 30; Newark 81 Spalding 12; Old Northamptonians 45 Paviors 15.