Spalding Rugby Club are beaten by Bugbrooke at Centenary Park

Tries early in each half sent Spalding to defeat in their first home match of the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) season on Saturday.

The Elephants found themselves trailing by 12 points after just five minutes of their match with Bugbrooke at Centenary Park.

They got themselves back into the game by half-time before letting it slip ahead of two late tries from Gav Sharman which proved in vain after a 24-29 reversal.

Spalding had gone into the game on the back of two very creditable away draws while visiting Bugbrooke had one home win and an away defeat on their record.

Spalding stepped out in front of a good crowd on President's Day and were looking to put on a good show but more importantly get a first win of the season.

Bugbrooke kicked off so possession was handed to Spalding on their 22.

A series of rucks ensued as the home forwards carried the ball but, with no momentum or territory gained, they kicked downfield straight into the hands of the Bugbrooke full-back who swiftly counter-attacked.

The ball flowed quickly through the backs and there was a big overlap and, with a two-on-one, Bugbrooke had their opening try after three minutes of play.

Within two minutes, Bugbrooke's backs were handling and passing the ball at pace and a big hole in Spalding's defence allowed the visitors to pour through for an easy try.

With a simple conversion, Spalding were 12 points down after only five minutes of play with their defence nowhere to be seen.

Step by step the home team went back to basics with the forwards, led by captain Luke Turner, making carries and securing ruck possession,

However, when penalties were awarded and kicked to touch, the lineout was again misfiring as in previous weeks with possession handed back over to the opposition.

Spalding steadily worked their way back into the game and the pressure was starting to bring a series of penalties within striking distance of the Bugbrooke try line.

Having opted not to go for a penalty kick, Spalding secured scrum possession and slick passing from scrum half Jim Wraith and fly half Willis Ingleby saw the ball flow out to right wing Ben Shields who raced in to score near the corner.

Coaches Ali Sharp and Phil Trotman rang some changes with Conall Mason moving into the centre and Zokas Raimondas - who was struggling with an ankle problem - being replaced by sub George Douglas in the pack.

Play was now end to end but Bugbrooke's backs constantly looked dangerous with their speed and confident handling and a penalty conceded at the breakdown handed a further three points to the visitors.

With half-time approaching, it was again the Spalding forwards - with Miguel Da Silva and Fergus McKerracher prominent with tackle breaking carries - that gave the hosts a platform metres short of the try line.

Sam Cowell drove forward but stopped short and, with mounting pressure, Jordan Templer was over and, with Ingleby converting, Spalding were remarkably just three points down at half-time.

Both teams started cautiously in the second half with Bugbrooke missing a penalty kick while kicks to touch by Spalding were still resulting in possession being turned over.

It was Bugbrooke who took a clear advantage as they sped down the left wing and, with three missed tackles, the try was scored and successfully converted.

This was followed by a move off the base of their scrum with Bugbrooke's fly half cutting back inside and sailing through a gaping hole.

The visitors' lead had increased to 17 points and Spalding were facing a heavy defeat.

With 10 minutes remaining, the ball was flowing along the Spalding backs at pace.

Douglas threw a wide pass out to left wing Sharman who outpaced the visitors' wide defence to score, with Ingleby converting.

Spalding were back in the game and also boosted by the Bugbrooke prop being yellow carded for continuing to pull down his opposite number in the scrum.

Back chat later meant a scrum awarded to Spalding gained 20 metres and slick passing found Sharman with room to show his pace to score his second try and close the gap to five points.

With time nearly up, Sharman again had one final burst down the wing but was tackled. This was Spalding's last opportunity before the referee, who had officiated excellently, blew for full time.

Spalding gained two points from the defeat and are eighth in the 12-team standings ahead of Saturday's trip to unbeaten league leaders Biggleswade.

Spalding: Sam Cowell, Miguel Da Silva, Luke Turner, Conall Mason, Zokas Raimondas, Fergus McKerracher, Will Shields, Jordan Templer, Jim Wraith, Willis Ingleby, Ryan Firth, Sam Christie, Gav Sharman Ollie Machin. Subs: Canham Fraser, George Douglas, Henry Duce.