Spalding RFC 22
Rushden & Higham 20
This was the clash of Spalding, second in the league, hosting a third placed Rushden & Higham side just two points behind and it did not disappoint, in front of a large crowd of supporters.
It was a highly competitive and tense game with nothing between the teams at half time, with Spalding only edging ahead as time was running out, then defending their try line as if their lives depended upon it, against a spirited Rushden.
Captain Luke Turner left the pitch jubilant but shattered in only his second match since returning from a long term injury.
“This was by far the team’s hardest challenge of the season,” he said. “But the lads’ spirit and teamwork kept us in the game and we finally came out on top, keeping our undefeated start to the season going which now extends to seven wins.”
Rushden started the game with a lot of confidence as their forwards and backs combined to put Spalding on the back foot.
The play was all in the home team’s half of the pitch and it was no surprise when a successful penalty kick established a three point lead after six minutes for the visitors.
Spalding were finding it difficult to get into any rhythm as Rushden were comfortable moving the ball along their backs forcing centres Harry Hudson and Gav Sharman to make tackle after tackle along with flanker Will Shields. When Spalding tried to move the ball along their backs the visitors were up and closing space down
Noting space behind, fly half Conall Mason started to kick behind Rushden’s defence, for wingers Callum Lewis and Ben Shields to run onto. However, a short kick ahead for himself, saw Mason knock the ball forward into the hands of one of the Rushden backs who sprinted though for a converted try and a ten point lead.
On the half hour Spalding sensibly decided to kick for goal with a penalty awarded from distance to get on the score board, and Mason stepped up to slot a well taken kick between the posts.
On the half way line restart, Rushden players were caught in front of the kicker, with the referee awarding a penalty kick five metres in from the touchline.
Scrum half Adam Sutcliffe, noting that Rushden players were slow in retreating the necessary 10 metres, took a tap penalty, taking them by surprise and started a sprint down the touchline. With defensive cover closing in, Sutcliffe cut back inside and outpaced all the defenders to score a sensational try by the posts, with Mason converting
At half time the score was ten points a piece.
The second half did not start brightly for Spalding with Jordan Templer being show a yellow card for a breakdown infringement.
Rushden looked to take advantage through their forwards with decent carries, gaining territory, and the ball was spread out along the backs with their left winger running in to score near the posts. With a conversion, the visitors looked to be in control with a seven point advantage
Spalding then suffered a series of blows.
Scrum half Adam Sutcliffe, left the field with an ankle problem so flanker Will Shields moved to scrum half and Ed Williams came off the subs bench as flanker.
Rushden were pressing their advantage forcing Spalding to defend with forwards Ash Anker and Luke Turner leading by example with full back Jack Patrick as the last line of defence.
Harry Brown was yellow carded for not releasing a tackled player and Spalding were down to 13 players before Templer returned
Sutcliffe, strapped-up, was back on with centre Harry Hudson being substituted.
Spalding were now making in-roads with Ash Piccaver, Ash Anker and Sam Noble prominent. They started to dominate territory and a pass from a ruck inside Rushden’s 22 saw fly half Mason cut back inside, beat two defenders and with his successful conversion it was now 17 points all.
However, a penalty award against Spalding saw a successful kick for Rushden to ease back into the lead as Brown returned.
Spalding now turned to their forwards and steadily they built a position deep in the visitors’ 22.
A line-out won by Templer saw a driving maul stopped. From the ruck just a couple of metres out, Spalding patiently went about their business with a series of pick and goes that saw the visitors desperately defending their line. Finally Templer drove over and with ten minutes remaining Spalding had taken the lead for the first time
From the kick off, Rushden forwards were straight at Spalding and within minutes Sutcliffe was making a try saving tackle, further injuring his ankle and being replaced by Jacob Gedney
Rushden’s fly half then fluffed a fairly long penalty kick while another penalty was kicked to touch but Spalding won the ball and Mason kicked deep to clear.
Rushden came right back to Spalding’s try line but the hosts manfully held out for the last minute of play.
To the great relief of Spalding players and supporters the referee blew his whistle to end a pulsating game and a notable victory.
Team: Tom Parker, Ash Anker, Luke Turner, Ash Piccaver, Jordan Templer, Harry Brown, Will Shields, Sam Noble, Adam Sutcliffe, Conall Mason, Callum Lewis, Harry Hudson, Gav Sharman, Jack Patrick. Subs: Jacob Gedney, Ed Williams, Richard Stevenson
