Spalding RFC pushed Counties 1 Midlands East (North) leaders Market Rasen & Louth all the way on Saturday before eventually slipping to a 35-27 defeat.
Town came from behind in the second half to snatch the lead by two points with 15 minutes remaining, only for defensive blunders to sink their efforts.
Back in November, Spalding had inflicted one of only two defeats this season to the table-toppers – and a tough close game was again in the offing.
For Spalding, there was a welcome return for Taylor Crowson at outside centre, who would go on and deliver a try assist in the first half and what could have been a key try in the second half.
From the kick-off Spalding were on the front foot, drawing a penalty for a high tackle. Captain Willis Ingleby sensibly elected to kick for goal, securing a three-point lead.
Both team’s defences were closing down space, but the home team were making breaks using their forwards with carries and, following a scrum five metres out, they spread the ball out on the right for the opening converted try.
Spalding’s front row of Tom Parker, Elliot Humphreys and Connor Broome were doing a sterling job under pressure against a well-drilled home pack and, with Will Shields back in the forwards and locks George Douglas and Henry Hobson, Spalding were offering good lineout options.
It was game-on when another successful penalty kick brought Spalding back to within one point.
Then, on the half hour, Spalding’s backs lit up the afternoon with Crowson making a superb break at pace through the middle.
As Rasen’s full-back came in for the tackle, he released inside centre Sam Booth to finish off the move – scoring under the posts for a converted try and a six-point lead.
However, Town’s Zain Berg was then shown a yellow card and Rasen kicked for touch. The lineout became a driving maul for a score out wide, meaning at half time Spalding were leading by just the one point.
Rasen made an immediate impact at the start of the second half with their centres forcing a break for a converted try to re-take a six-point lead.
The competition levels now stepped up, with the rucks and breakdowns being fiercely contested.
As a result Rasen also successfully kicked two penalties to draw further ahead, while Town’s Jack Grundy was yellow carded.
But there is a good spirit within the team and Spalding hit back when flanker Lachlan Summers, who gained yards with his forceful carries all game, made a decisive break before passing out to left wing Alexander Creak to score out wide.
It was then Rasen’s turn to lose a player to a yellow card as Spalding went hunting for another score.
With field position gained, scrum-half Ben Shields set the backs running with Ingleby finding centre Crowson coming onto the ball at pace. He went to go outside then cut back inside and evaded tackles to score Spalding’s third try.
With the conversion good, Town found themselves back in front by two points with 15 minutes remaining.
However, from the restart Rasen put Spalding under pressure, pinning them down ten metres out from their try line.
Turnover ball saw the opportunity for Spalding to clear their lines with a big kick down field, but they instead tried an attacking dink kick over the Rasen centres.
The ball landed in the hands of the full-back, who burst forwards to score the decisive converted try.
That was followed later by a penalty kick for a Spalding offside and an eight-point lead.
In the final minute Rasen had a player red carded for a reckless tackle on Summers, but they held on to deny Spalding what would have been a sensational away win against a side who are unbeaten at home this season.
Spalding RFC: Tom Parker, Elliot Humphreys, Connor Broome, George Douglas, Henry Hobson, Lachlan Summers, Will Shields, Jack Grundy, Ben Shields, Willis Ingleby, Alexander Creak, Sam Booth, Taylor Crowson, Charlie Beecham, Ollie Machin. Subs Zain Berg, Findlay Roy, Ollie Sorrell.
l Saturday: Spalding RFC v Mellish.
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