SPALDING RFC 24
SILEBY TOWN 12
Spalding RFC got their Midlands Three East (North) season back on track with a much-needed 24-12 victory over Sileby Town on Saturday.
After suffering five defeats on the trot, it was imperative that Town rediscovered their winning touch against the Leicestershire side at the Memorial Field – and they duly delivered.
After half an hour with no score for either team the omens were not looking too promising.
But the last ten minutes of the first half and the opening 20 minutes of the second half saw the Elephants open up Silbey’s defence, scoring four tries to put them on course for their bonus-point win.
Fielding a similar line-up to the side who had been put to the sword by Rolls Royce the previous week, Town’s only change saw George Freeman returning after injury in the front row and Aston Capes on the wing.
The opening period of play was rather unexciting, with both teams searching for the initial opening.
Sileby had a slightly stronger set of forwards, especially in the scrum but were perhaps less mobile around the park especially with Spalding’s back row of Richard Cooke, Jason Steels and Ash Ankar being first to the breakdown.
Steadily, Spalding were building pressure and had a lineout ten metres from the try line. Ankar secured the ball and, as he made his pass, took a heavy fall and had to be replaced by Harry Brown for the rest of the match.
Town immediately drove the ball forward and, from the base of a ruck on the try line, Harry Cole dived over with Willis Ingleby converting.
Spalding’s confidence grew as the backs started to find space, led by Dan Adams at inside centre.
And, with half-time beckoning, Sileby’s defence was opened up as outside centre Taylor Crowson used his speed and agility to find a gap 15 metres out to run in Spalding’s second try.
However, in the act of scoring Crowson suffered a bang to the head and after a lengthy stop, as he was treated on the pitch, was replaced by Adam McHugh.
Ingleby converted for a half time lead of 14 points.Ash Piccaver, on for Luke Turner, soon made his mark on the match as he took an offload on the half-way line and broke through a couple of tackles to outpace the visitors’ defence.
Spalding were now in full flow and George Freeman burst through a couple of tackles and, as he tried to side step the next tackle, he badly twisted his knee as he fell.
Town continued to dominate and with Sileby’s defence pressing up, Ingleby chipped over for Gav Sharman to gather and score, whilst the visitors were down to 14 players.Instead of going in for the kill and racking up points, Spalding seemed to step off the gas and conceded two tries in fairly quick succession.
However, a fracas broke out in the middle of the park with only minutes to play as Harry Brown was singled-out for a red card.
This Saturday sees Spalding host rock-bottom Notts Moderns (3pm).
They now have an excellent opportunity to build some momentum and lift themselves up the league.
Town: Jacob Greaves, John Barrett, George Freeman, Luke Turner, Harry Cole, Ash Ankar, Richard Cooke (captain), Jason Steels, Will Shields, Willis Ingleby, Ashton Capes, Dan Adams, Taylor Crowson, Gav Sharman, George Douglas. Subs: Adam McHugh, Harry Brown, Ash Piccaver.
