Spalding 12
Leicester Vipers 17
Having clawed their way back in the first half to take a two-point lead at half-time, Spalding failed to keep the momentum going.
It was Vipers who notched the only score in the second half with a converted try to pick up all the Counties Midlands 1 East (South) points.
The Leicester side were fifth in the table, two points above Spalding, so the clash had all the hallmarks of a tight and competitive game and so it turned out.
Fielding a strong-looking team, including the substitutes bench, the only notable Elephants absentees were captain Luke Turner, due to injury, and Jack Patrick. That meant there was a certain amount of confidence around Centenary Park.
However, Spalding fluffed the kick-off and soon gave away a penalty with Vipers kicking for a lineout. With possession secured, the Vipers’ No.8 went over the line for an unconverted try after just four minutes.
The visitors settled down with a clear tactic of kicking deep into the corner, forcing Spalding to play out from inside their 22. Muddy conditions meant handling was proving challenging.
Vipers tactics were rewarded with a 50-20 kick, giving them lineout possession and their forwards were putting Spalding under pressure. Finally the ball ran lose and, as Spalding tried to hack the ball clear, it landed with the Vipers’ centre and he gratefully ran through for their second try.
As soon as Spalding established any territory, they were being turned around by Vipers’ fly half’s astute tactics in the conditions, using the cross wind to kick deep.
Spalding tried to bring their backs into play and centre Conall Mason broke through Vipers’ initial defence from 30 metres, evading further tackles to score an excellent try. With his conversion, Spalding were back in the game.
Spalding took the game to Vipers and a penalty against the visitors and some back chat saw a further ten metres gained for a deep kick to touch. The lineout was won by Alex Worth with Fergus McKerracher and Jack Grundy making carries.
Fly-half Willis Ingleby kicked through and had Vipers’ defence turning but prop Ash Anker forced his way over in the corner for an unconverted try. At half-time Spalding held a two-point lead.
George Douglas replaced McKerracher in the pack, but early in the second half it was Vipers who grew in confidence as Spalding’s running game plan faded in the conditions.
From a scrum, Vipers’ forwards made some good carries with ruck possession near the posts and, with the home defence slow to cover, Vipers scrum half went over the try line. An easy conversion gave the visitors a five-point advantage but with 30 minutes still to play
Disappointingly, Spalding were unable to force the game in Vipers’ half and Miguel Da Silva and Gav Sharman came off the bench to add fresh legs.
With no further score, the visitors continued to have the edge, having adapted far better to the conditions.
Spalding: Cowell, Brown, Anker, McKerracher, Worth, Callaby, W Shields, Grundy, Wraith, Ingleby, B Shields, Mason, Crowson, Sutcliffe, Firth. Subs: Da Silva, Douglas, Sharman.
