Spalding RFC 21
Dronfield 30
Spalding RFC are pointless after two Midlands Two East (North) games following a 30-21 Memorial Field defeat against Dronfield on Saturday.
The clash was the main event of Town’s President’s Weekend, but they were unable to deliver the victory that the large crowd craved.
Kick-off was delayed by 45 minutes with the late arrival of the visitors due to an accident on the A1 but they were quickly into their stride and, within the opening few minutes, Town were caught offside twice but both penalties were missed.
It was then Town’s turn to attack and they opened the scoring with a typical Ash Piccaver try, using his strength and speed to burst through the defensive cover.
Full-back Josh Broome converted confidently.
The game started to open up as Dronfield settled into their rhythm, with scrums fairly evenly matched. But the visitors’ forwards were driving the ball forward in open play.
A poor clearance kick by Broome presented the opposition with their opening unconverted try.
Then, similar to the previous week at Coalville, Spalding seemed to drift out of the game as Dronfield ran in a total of three unanswered tries in 20 minutes.
The third try was the result of four missed tackles and it ensured that that match had turned considerably in the visitors’ favour.
With encouragement from the crowd and Harry Sharman playing scrum-half, Spalding hit back and started to play the type of rugby they are capable of. A move along the three quarters saw right winger Taylor Crowson break through Dronfield’s defensive line to score under the posts for a converted try.
A few minutes later Harry Brown was through with the try line in sight, but he was carrying the ball in one hand and it was dislodged.
That meant Dronfield went into the half-time break with a deserved 22-14 lead.
It was Dronfield who again edged it after the restart, with their experienced forwards retaining ball and driving forward – prompted by their fly-half with his good tactical kicking. Sustained pressure on Town’s try line finally saw the visitors over for another unconverted try.
Spalding’s response was positive and a good interchange of passes saw Will Shields, who had come off the bench, through for a well-taken try near the posts, which Broome converted to bring the hosts within striking distance with 20 minutes left.
However, a comeback was not to be and a penalty infringement at the breakdown saw Dronfield’s fly-half kick the penalty that secured their away victory.
Spalding RFC: Kier Moore, Sam Cooke (captain), Jacob Hutson, Jordan Templer, Tim Waltham, Ash Piccaver, Jay Harwood, Harry Brown, Harry Sharman, Jim Williams, George Douglas, Adam McHugh, Ben Hoyles, Taylor Crowson, Josh Broome, Jimmy Rowlands, Ryan Chappell and Will Shields.
Saturday: Mansfield v Town (3pm).
Midlands Two East (North) results: Ashbourne 24 Bakewell Mannerians 13; Nottingham Casuals 36 Market Bosworth 6; Southwell 13 Mansfield 12; Spalding 21 Dronfield 30; Stamford 51 Coalville 17; West Bridgford 34 Melbourne 14.
