Spalding Rugby Club are beaten by Stamford in Counties 1 Midlands East (South)
Spalding produced a valiant effort as their five-match unbeaten run was ended by Counties 1 Midlands East (South) leaders Stamford on Saturday.
The Elephants went down to a 19-7 away reversal against the runaway leaders but Spalding were in with a shout throughout the game and their players deserve great credit for their efforts.
With the return of captain Luke Turner in the front row alongside fellow prop Tomas Parker and hooker Sam Cowell, Spalding looked to have a competitive scrum despite missing four forwards while in the backs there was a late call up for Henry Duce playing full back.
Spalding kicked off with the advantage of the notorious sloping pitch into the corner but it was the home side who stepped up a gear with their support play at the breakdown with their second man being quick and sharp securing possession.
Stamford's scrum half Fraser Hutton was quick to distribute the ball, with their centres running at pace.
After seven minutes, a missed tackle in defence saw the home side sail through to score under the crossbar and, with the easiest of conversions, an early seven point lead was on the scoreboard.
Resolute tackling was called for as Stamford dominated possession and Spalding's pair of flankers Will Shields and Jack Patrick were prominent with their covering tackles.
The surprise package was Harry Brett who had in previous games played at full-back but was moved to lock alongside Raimondas Zokas who always adds strength to the pack. Brett did exceedingly well in the lineout in the absence of George Douglas.
The referee was picking up a few of Stamfords's infringements at the breakdown which gave fly half Willis Ingleby the chance to kick deep for touch.
After 27 minutes, it was Patrick who burst through the middle to score between the posts and a simple conversion for Conall Mason saw the game level.
Stamford responded from the kick off and encamped themselves deep in Spalding's 22 and scrum half Jim Wraith pulled off a try-saving tackle.
The battle was getting fierce and five minutes later forward Jordan Templer was yellow carded for his tackle.
Stamford soon capitalised on their advantage with carries and pick-and-goes through the middle before working the ball out to the right wing to score for a half-time lead of five points.
The question was would Stamford use their home advantage to good effect and run away with the game in the second period.
However, Spalding's defensive organisation and spirit just about stopped Stamford in their tracks with centres Jack Grundy and Mason defying their opposite numbers.
Winger Gav Sharman suffered a leg injury and was replaced by Ryan Firth.
After 20 minutes of play in the second half, Stamford's forwards worked the ball from a ruck on the right wing into the centre to score a converted try under the posts.
George Brown came off the subs bench, replacing Zokas who had put in a good shift and soon the replacement was giving impetus to Spalding's play with his forceful carries.
With just a couple of minutes remaining on the clock, Spalding had worked their way up to the Stamford try line thanks to some big carries from Turner and Cowell only for Stamford to steal the ball in the ruck and deny the visitors the chance of grabbing a losing bonus point at the death.
This was a brave performance by Spalding against the current stand-out team in the league and their team spirit to keep battling away right through to the very end was a credit to the players.
Spalding remain in sixth spot in the table ahead of Saturday's home match with Stockwood Park at Centenary Park.
Spalding: Tomas Parker, Sam Cowell, Luke Turner, Harry Brett, Raimondas Zokas, Will Shields, Jack Patrick, Jordan Templer, Jim Wraith, Willis Ingleby, Jack Grundy, Conall Mason, Gav Sharman, Henry Duce. Subs: Fraser Canham, George Brown, Ryan Firth.
