NOTTINGHAM MODERNS 38
SPALDING RFC 22
Basement boys Nottingham Moderns completed a Midlands Three East (North) double over Spalding RFC with a 38-22 home success on Saturday.
Although Town at least picked up a losing bonus point by virtue of scoring four tries, the disappointing reverse sees them lose ground in the race for a top five finish.
The Elephants did hold a narrow lead at the end of the first half after having the first benefit of a sloping pitch, but a purple patch from the hosts soon after the break blew them away.
During the game – and especially in the first half – Spalding looked threatening in patches.
This was especially when the backs found room to capitalise on the forceful running of centres George Brown and Adam McHugh.
But, for the first 15 minutes or so, it was Moderns who started with confidence as a home team should, pinning Town deep in their own half.
Spalding’s first break into opposition territory brought immediate rewards as the forwards pick and drove the ball forward.
Scrum-half Ben Shields moved the ball quickly down the blind side, with winger Chris Douglas finishing off well.
From the restart, Moderns immediately worked their way deep into Town territory and, from a scrum, their back row broke and missed defensive tackles let the home team open their scoring with a converted try.
Ten minutes later, passing along the line, saw Moderns open up a three on one advantage with a further converted try.
Spalding’s scrum was looking very solid, with young Jordan Butcher joining John Barrett and Jacob Greaves in the front row.
From a scrum near the half way line, flanker Harry Cole broke and passed to right wing Ashton Capes, who used his trademark speed to score out wide.
Capes was denied a couple of further scoring opportunities before half time, too.
Meanwhile, Brown took a knock to the head in a challenge and was replaced by Tom Wilson at outside centre.
Undeterred, the Elephants used their scrum as a platform to attack, with fly-half Dan Adams putting McHugh in space to tee up Cole, who finished off the move. With Capes converting, Spalding led 17-14 at the break.
However, the opening ten minutes of the second period were rather disastrous for the visitors as a period of missed tackles and very poor cover defence allowed Moderns to sink their hopes with three tries.
For the first, Nottingham were able to create a three-on-one overlap on the left, with Spalding’s back row failing to cover.
Minutes later Moderns exploited the same cover defence weakness again, before running in a third quick score in this period when a high relieving kick by Town was gathered in by a home full-back, who raced down the right wing to cross the line.
Midway through the half, sub Wilson also took a knock and Liam Adams came on in the backs. Spalding steadied the ship and came back with their fourth try late in the second half.
Again, it was developed from their scrum ten metres out from Moderns’ try line, with the ball being moved quickly along to full-back George Douglas to dive over.
Moderns did, however, claim the final try of the match from open play.
On the day it was some of the younger players who impressed in defeat for Town, with Jordan Butcher – on his debut – carrying the ball well in open play, always getting across the gain line and setting up the ball well for the next phase.
Cole was also everywhere, especially with his carries and pace and had an impressive game, while Wilson and Adams also buoyed Town.
Spalding RFC: Jacob Greaves, John Barrett, Jordan Butcher, Kev Hutson, Pete Smith, Harry Cole, Richard Cooke (captain), Ash Piccaver, Ben Shields, Dan Adams, Chris Douglas, George Brown, Adam McHugh, Ashton Capes, George Douglas. Subs: Tom Wilson, Liam Adams and George Reid.
