Spalding Rugby Club beat Oakham at Centenary Park

Spalding continued their impressive start following promotion to Counties 1 Midlands East (South) with a 21-7 success over Oakham on Saturday.

It secured a third league win from four outings against an Oakham side who arrived at Centenary Park having made a similar start to their hosts.

Coming into the team were two of Spalding's up and coming young players, flanker Jack Grundy and James Holland at full-back.

In front of a large crowd of supporters, Spalding were on the front foot from the kick-off with a line-out on Oakham’s 22.

A good line-out win by lock George Douglas high above everybody found scrum half Adam Sutcliffe who made a good long pass out to fly half Willis Ingleby. The ball was moved along the backs and Taylor Crowson released Gav Sharman to outpace the Oakham defence to score near the corner flag for the opening try after four minutes.

Oakham responded by putting Spalding under pressure, winning a ruck penalty and kicking for a deep line-out.

Having won their line-out ball, Oakham were unable to capitalise against solid defence by Spalding which was helped by winning a scrum turn-over and sending the visitors' pack backwards.

Midway through the first half, a penalty kick by Conall Mason extended Spalding’s lead but soon afterwards they lost Alex Worth to a yellow card for a high tackle.

Oakham's centres were proving lively and they set free their left winger but Grundy, with great speed and determination, caught the flying winger, made the tackle and won a turn-over penalty.

Spalding's scrum was on top, winning a succession of penalties, and from one flowing move along the backs Holland was bundled into touch a metre short of the try line.

In the last minute of the first half, Oakham were on the attack and a missed tackle and loose ball allowed the visitors to score under the posts for a converted try.

Despite Spalding having by far the better of the first half, they had not converted their possession into points, leaving them with only with a one-point advantage.

The second half saw Spalding kicking the ball for territory and, with Alex Worth winning line-out ball, Willis kicked deep and Gav Sharman won the chase for his second try of the afternoon.

Both sides were being penalised by the referee but Spalding were having the upper hand.

They were awarded three successive scrum penalties on Oakham’s five metre line but failed to turn their clear advantage into points.

A successful penalty kick by Mason after Oakham had missed a relatively easy similar chance saw Spalding extend their lead to nine points before both teams lost players to yellow cards, including captain Luke Turner.

Finally Spalding managed to turn their forward superiority into points with a driving maul from a line-out with Miguel Da Silva going over.

Oakham hit back but Douglas stole two Oakham line-outs as Spalding defended their try line in the last five minutes.

The victory leaves Spalding in third spot in the early standings. They travel to face unbeaten leaders Daventry on Saturday.

Spalding: Miguel Da Silva, Ash Anker, Luke Turner, Macaulay Crane, George Douglas, George Brown, Jack Grundy, Alex Worth, Adam Sutcliffe, Willis Ingleby, Gav Sharman, Conall Mason, Taylor Crowson, Wilson Crowson, James Holland, Tom Parker, Reece Callaby, Ed Williams.