NLD Cup quarter-final: Spalding RFC 14 Market Rasen & Louth 55
A heavy cup defeat formed part of a tough few days for Spalding RFC.
The NLD cup exit last Saturday – during which two players had to have hospital treatment – came hard on the heels of news that Harry Sharman was no longer club captain.
Town were still smarting from a 62-0 league defeat at Market Rasen in October.
However, the early signs were ominous as Rasen immediately started to employ the familiar tactic of spreading the ball out wide for their powerful runners to test the Spalding defence. In the third minute, they had created an overlap for their right winger to go in at the corner for an unconverted try.
Rasen capitalised on Town’s vulnerability and two further tries in the next ten minutes made it 15-0.
As in previous weeks, the Spalding team dug in, with the scrum holding its own and the back row of Tim Waltham, Tom Duerden and Liam Richardson starting to make an impact.
The young combination of Will Shields at scrum-half and Josh Broome – making his first start at his favoured position of fly-half – were also starting to get into the match. Broome started to give the crowd a glimpse of his kicking ability with some towering clearances.
Rasen conceded a penalty and Broome’s kick sailed between the posts to open Spalding’s account.
With 20 minutes gone Rasen extended their lead with a converted try, but again Spalding took a penalty opportunity for Broome to collect three points.
A further converted try by Rasen on the half hour extended their lead, but another penalty was conceded by the visitors and Broome kicked for the corner.
A good lineout throw by Josh Caley allowed Duerden to safely gather the ball and a driving maul was established with Pete Waudby controlling at the back.
Richardson drove forward to touch down for an excellent forward’s try.
Rasen’s response was immediate, pressing Spalding on their try line.
Town’s lock Ash Piccaver and full-back Charlie Seconde, with eyes only on the ball, clashed heads as they tackled and both went to hospital for treatment.
John Barratt and Gareth Ozbourne came off the bench and, whilst Spalding were reorganising, Rasen scored their final first-half converted try to lead 36-11.
Spalding opened the scoring in the second half with a penalty from Broome.
And they started to take the game to Rasen with captain Ryan Chappell having an impact at centre, number eight Duerden causing problems for Rasen with his carries and Broome’s excellent kicking for territory.
However, Spalding’s lack of cutting edge meant no further points came their way and, against the run of play, Rasen scored three more tries.
Town: Waudby, Caley, Hutson, Piccaver, Browne, Waltham, Richardson, Duerden, Shields, Broome, Booth, Brown, Chappell (captain), Moore, Seconde, Barratt, Ozborne.
Man of the match: Duerden
Saturday: League – Spalding v Syston (2.15pm)
