Spalding 19
Nottingham University 31
Fatigue and injury caught up with Spalding as they opened their Counties One Midlands East season with a 31-19 defeat at home to Nottingham University, following their summer switch from the south to north section.
Led by new captain Willis Ingleby, the new-look Elephants took to the Centenary Park with first-team debuts for inside centre Sam Booth and Jack Lamb, one of last season’s colts, while on the bench fellow debutants lock or back row Thom Moxon and hooker Elliot Humphrey were ready to join the fray when required. Also making a return to the first team was hooker Ash Anker.
The opening try came after 10 minutes when scrum half Jim Wraith fed fly half Ingleby, breaking down the blind side. Will Shields and lock George Douglas linked up for a final pass that saw left winger Gav Sharman round the defence, with a conversion by Ingleby.
Spalding’s speed to the breakdown and the defensive line pushing up stalled Uni’s play and it the hosts who stretched their lead when Ingleby kicked through and Moxon touched down. Ingleby’s conversion saw Spalding go 14 points clear.
However, in the 10 minutes before half-time, the two University wingers showed they had pace to burn, trickery and an eye for space. Their right winger mesmerised half the Spalding players as he weaved his way through to touch down for a converted try, with two more scores before the break giving the visitors a two-point advantage.
With Spalding facing a strong wind in the second half, expectations were that the University side would run away with the game. However, Spalding gave their visitors trouble with Douglas and Shields winning lineout balls, enabling the forwards to rumble and punch holes as they drove up field to gain territory. A penalty was won near the Uni try line and Jack Lamb dived over to put Spalding 19-17 up.
The pace and constant tackling to shut down the Uni backs and back row started to take it toll and the Nottingham side split the home defence to pull five points clear.
Spalding went searching for a try in the last 10 minutes but it was the university who stole away to secure their win. Spalding were outstanding for three-quarters of the game but fatigue and injury set in as the students took control, with Sam Cowell carried off and Jim Wraith completely shattered.
The Elephants’ new division includes fellow Lincolnshire sides Bourne, Kesteven, Lincoln, Market Rasen and Louth and Ashby (Scunthorpe) but this Saturday sees another tough challenge against a young, fit side with a trip to Loughborough University Seconds.
Elephants: Cowell, Anker, Parker, Douglas, Templer, Lamb, W Shields, Grundy, Wraith, Ingleby, Sharman, Patrick, Booth, B Shields, Machin. Subs: Moxon, Christie, Humphrey.
