Spalding RFC are targeting the win that could transform their Midlands One East season this weekend.
Having lost all six games so far – including last Saturday’s 58-0 beating at leaders Kettering – Town have just one point and are rock bottom of the table.
But skipper Harry Sharman is refusing to dwell on the past. He’s hopeful that Spalding can break their duck against Mansfield at the Memorial Field on Saturday (3pm) as they bid to avoid being cast adrift at the bottom.
“We did alright on Saturday for a while,” said Sharman, who is still out with a broken nose. “But the heads dropped a bit at the end and the scoreline got a bit severe.
“We’ll not look back, it was always a hard game and we move on.
“Saturday is definitely a winnable one for us. We’re not stupid, every game at this level is hard.
“I’ve been in teams here when we’ve started badly, but kicked on after getting that first win.
“A win would really build the confidence of the lads up and that is how you start putting results together.
“If we can get a few wins, we’ll be able to get ourselves into the pack a little bit.”
Saturday’s opponents Mansfield are also in the bottom four, having won just two of their six games so far.
They’ve been in mixed for, having been thumped 109-3 at Old Northamptonians two weeks ago before bouncing back to see off a strong Paviors side 30-24 last time out.
Town fans may remember the rivalry the club had with Mansfield back in 2007/08, when the Nottinghamshire side edged them out in the race for the (then) Midlands Three East (N) title.
Spalding welcome back second row Jeremy Darley and Ash Piccaver, while vice captain Ryan Chappell could also feature. But Ben Williams (ribs) is ruled out.
