Newark RFC 31
Spalding RFC 5
A much-improved first-half performance couldn’t stop Spalding RFC suffering another Midlands Two East (North) defeat on Saturday.
Newark, the only team Town have beaten in the league this season, avenged that Memorial Field loss with a 31-5 triumph.
The loss – a 16th from 17 games – leaves the Elephants 25 points from safety with five games remaining, meaning a second relegation in three seasons is all but confirmed.
The story of the game was not so much about how many tries conceded, but the fact that – at half-time – Spalding had Newark worried.
Indeed, they were only seven points down as the sides turned around and were the more dominant side in the scrum and lineout, plus they had a try disallowed.
Hosts Newark started the more confident and, for the first 15 minutes, they pinned Spalding back in their half as they spread the ball along their speedy backs with quick handling and looked for the break or an overlap on the wings.
But Spalding’s backs were up for the challenge.
Adam Castle, who was back on the wing, and Joe Grundy in the centre outside Jason Steels provided the energy to close space down and secure their tackles.
Gav Sharman, on the right wing, was being constantly tested but his tackling and tracking back was outstanding.
And, when Newark did manage to break through, George Douglas was there with his determined last-ditch tackles or his bravery under a high ball.
However, Newark finally made the break to open their scoring with a converted try after 20 minutes.
From the re-start, Spalding took the game to Newark with the forwards dominating possession.
Ash Piccaver was proving a handful with his carries and so was captain Tom Duerden.
Newark were resorting to relieving kicks to touch, but Josh Caley’s throwing in at lineouts, particularly to Duerden, were working well with Kieran Bailey also winning ball at the front.
From this possession, firstly Kev Hudson drove for the try line only to be stopped inches short and moments later a try appeared to have been scored, only to be brought back for a Spalding penalty. Will Shields then made a break down the line but unfortunately put a fraction of his foot on the line and Castle later followed with a break down the same wing but was tackled just short.
At half-time Newark were rattled with the game very much in the balance
The home side appeared to have come up with the answer immediately from the re-start with their second converted try, however, as they stepped up their intensity. But Town were battling away. Using an intelligent deep kick over the defence, the chase was on as the ball travelled into the goal area – with Sharman winning the touchdown for an unconverted try
There was to be no comeback, though, as a nine-minute spell secured victory for Newark with Spalding’s concentration levels lapsing for the first time in the game. A misplaced pass and a couple of failed tackles on Newark’s centre suddenly caused 21 points to be conceded.
With nearly 20 minutes still to play Spalding, to their credit, denied Newark any further scoring opportunities with Spalding’s coach, Bruno Figueiredo, using his full bench to bring fresh energy to his team.
Among them was Jacob Greaves, who was making his first team debut in the pack.
Although this was another defeat there were plenty of positives to take away from the game – if not for this season, it at least looks a little better with next year’s campaign in mind.
Town will hope to grab a morale-boosting win this Saturday, with second-from-bottom Nottingham Casuals the visitors to the Memorial Field (2.15pm).
Spalding RFC: Peter Waudby, Josh Caley, Mikey Watts, Kev Hudson, Luke Turner, Ash Piccaver, Kieran Bailey, Tom Duerden (captain), Richard Cooke, Adam Castle, Jason Steels, Joe Grundy, Gav Sharman and George Douglas, Subs: Harry Cole, George Brown and Jacob Greaves.
