Spalding Rugby Club are beaten by Stamford in Counties 1 Midlands (East) South

Spalding were beaten at Centenary Park for the first time this season after a narrow 15-17 home loss in Saturday's derby with Stamford.

The visitors edged ahead towards the end of the first half of the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) clash and their experience told as they held onto their lead to maintain third place in the table.

A keenly-fought game was anticipated ahead of kick-off and it was therefore no surprise that the match started with both team's defences being on top.

As in previous outings, Spalding's scrum had a slight advantage with Sam Cowell returning at prop alongside captain Luke Turner.

With locks Alex Worth and George Douglas supporting, Spalding looked to have a platform to build upon during the afternoon.

Stamford were looking towards their hard running back row players to punch holes with their strong carries followed up by good and effective support at the ruck.

While making a defensive tackle, inside centre Willis Ingleby took a knock to his hip and was sidelined for most of the game.

With a strong wind behind their backs, Spalding were looking to take advantage with Douglas making a break of 50 metres.

Right wing Ben Shields had a couple of runs stopped a few metres short of the try line and, on a crash ball move, full-back Jack Patrick was unable to gather a sharp pass.

Finally, after 30 minutes of play, Stamford conceded a penalty for hands in a ruck and fly half Ryan Firth slotted over the kick for a three-point lead.

Stamford came looking for a reply, encamping themselves in Spalding's half of the pitch.

A kick found touch 10 metres out for a Spalding line-out and Douglas, with his height, won the ball to feed scrum half Adam Sutcliffe, but a poor pass resulted in Firth knocking on.

A scrum to Stamford and their number eight broke from the back to go over from five metres for a 3-5 half-time lead for the visitors.

With the wind behind their backs, Stamford took the game to Spalding after the break and, for the first 15 minutes, it was all about defending inside their 22.

Spalding's back row of Reece Callaby, Jack Grundy and Will Shields, alongside backs Taylor Crowson and Patrick, stood up to the visitors' hard running.

But it was Stamford who were securing the rucks and the pressure finally told with a ruck just short of the try line and a pick from the base followed by a thrust over the line for the visitors' second try.

Stamford were now in charge and there was some great cover tackles by Spalding to stay in the game.

Spalding gradually fought their way back into the game and, with defences becoming stretched, winger Gav Sharman made a break down the wing, but was tackled into touch one metre short.

Minutes later a powerful scrum by Spalding saw number eight Jack Grundy made a great break which was foiled by a last ditch tackle.

However, Spalding gave possession away on three occasions with some poor decision making and Stamford stole through the middle.

Despite a valiant chase by Crowson, they scored a converted try to ease to a nine-point advantage with 10 minutes remaining.

Spalding came charging back through their forwards and some big carries by captain Turner and Alex Worth established a driving maul that was brought down by Stamford illegally and a penalty try awarded.

With just two points difference, there was little time for Spalding to snatch a late win and Stamford had secured the derby spoils.

Spalding had failed in the first half to turn their chances into points and therefore paid the ultimate penalty.

The defeat dropped them down to sixth place ahead of this weekend's trip to bottom-of-the-table Long Buckby.

Spalding: Sam Cowell, Tom Parker, Luke Turner, George Douglas, Alex Worth, Reece Callaby, Will Shields, Jack Grundy, Adam Sutcliffe, Ryan Firth, Gav Sharman, Willis Ingleby, Taylor Crowson, Ben Shields, Jack Patrick. Subs Jim Wraith, George Brown, Macaulay Crane.