Spalding Rugby Club’s second team win the NLD Merit League Two East title

Spalding's second team won the NLD Merit League Two East title on Saturday after victory over closest challengers Horncastle at Centenary Park.

The Elephants recorded a 48-10 success against their second-placed visitors to avenge a defeat in their first meeting of the season.

Horncastle had won 50-19 in the January meeting of the two sides so a tough and challenging game was expected but, with a full squad of 26 players, there was a quiet confidence within the Spalding ranks.

Straight from the kick-off, both teams' defensive lines were highly organised, cutting down space and challenging at every breakdown.

Both packs were fairly equal at the scrums but Spalding's starting front row of Charlie Goodwin, Thomas Dunbar and Connor Broome provided a good solid platform. Likewise at the lineouts, Will Pite and Alex Whelan were securing good clean ball.

With nearly a quarter of the game played, Spalding broke the stalemate when fly half Henry Duce sliced through the Horncastle backs to open the scoring with a try which was converted by Bailey Hudson.

Spalding’s fluid play then turned the game in their favour with four tries in the second quarter of the match.

They had encamped themselves inside Horncastle territory with the visitors having a very flat defensive line.

Lock Yogi Schrauwers burst through the Horncastle tackles and in clear space outpaced the visitors for Spalding's second converted try.

Within a couple of minutes, fly half Duce had opened up the Horncastle defence again, cutting a great angle to score under the posts for a try which was duly converted.

Starting scrum half, Callum Ferguson was spinning the ball out from the breakdown with excellent, quick passes which the backs started to capitalise on.

Centre Aaron Brundle's pace, strength and good running lines broke through Horncastle's defence twice to score by the posts and, at half-time, Spalding had established a commanding lead of 31-0.

Captain Ryan Medlock, with the assistance of coach Jason Steels, was rotating his squad and at the break there was a flurry of changes.

Spalding maintained their edge and the game was lit up by a superb try from hooker Tom Dunbar.

Securing the ball in his own half, he used his force to break through several Horncastle tackles and then outpace any remaining defence for his converted try.

From the kick off, Ash Ankar secured the ball and stunned Horncastle by evading tackles and unloading to Richard Start who sprinted for the try line and Spalding now had a 41-0 lead.

To Horncastle's credit, they kept battling away to reap their reward with two well worked tries.

However, Spalding claimed their eighth try of the afternoon when Horncastle, trying to counter-attack from their own half, fumbled the ball to gift Ben Bettinson a try.

This game was a credit to both teams, showcasing the excellent spirit displayed, but at the same time being highly competitive and it was thoroughly enjoyed by a good crowd.

Spalding: Connor Broome, Ash Anker, Tom Parker, Thomas Dunbar, Macaulay Crane, Alex Whelan, Will Pite, Ryan Medlock, Callum Ferguson, Henry Duce, Bailey Hudson, Harry Dean-Allen, Aaron Brundle, Ben Bettinson, James Holland, Thom Monaghan, Sam Hall, Richard Start, Charlie Goodwin, Will Daft, Fraser Canham, Troy Davis, Yogi Schrauwers, Mark Batterbee, Harvey King.