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Spalding Rugby Club beat Biggleswade in Counties 1 Midlands East (South)




Spalding survived a late scare to make it back-to-back wins in Counties 1 Midlands East (South) with victory over Biggleswade on Saturday.

The Elephants followed up last week's home success over Stewart and Lloyds with a 31-29 victory over a Biggleswade side who are always tough to beat.

The victory also secured a bonus point win and moved Spalding up two places in the league standings.

Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC
Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC
Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC
Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC

However, they very nearly came unstuck right at the end as Spalding were saved by the visitors missing a fairly easy conversion kick to win by the narrow margin of two points.

It capped a nail biting finish for the Spalding touchline supporters with the visitors 14 points adrift and scoring 12 points in the last two minutes which was added to by a couple of yellow cards for the home team that left them with 13 players on the field at the end.

There was a sizzling opening by Spalding from the kick-off with the forwards immediately making an impression by taking the ball deep into Biggleswade's 22 with carries by Lachlan Summers and Zokas Raimondas.

Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC
Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC
Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC
Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC

From a ruck, Ben Shields - playing scrum half rather than his normal wing position - zipped the ball out to the backs and centre Willis Ingleby sliced open the visitors' defence to score by the left corner flag.

The visitors in the past have gained an advantage in the scrum but, with Spalding props Tomas Parker and Sam Cowell and hooker Summers forming a rock solid front row, it was the Biggleswade backs who opened up Spalding's defence after a quarter of an hour to score out wide to level.

An end-to-end game saw fly half Connall Mason then sail through a defensive gap to score by the posts with Biggleswade's immediate response being to put pressure on Spalding's try line and draw a yellow card for Ingleby.

Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC
Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC
Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC
Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC

Scrum possession on the five metre line very soon turned into a try and at half-time Spalding had a narrow two point lead.

Miguel Da Silva replaced Raimondas, slotting in at hooker, resulting in a pack reshuffle for Spalding and the immediate momentum was with the home team as they pressed the visitors' try line.

However, the final pass out to Gav Sharman on the wing was intercepted by his opposite number who ran the length of the pitch to score under the posts and, with a simple conversion, the visitors had a five point lead just minutes into the second half.

Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC
Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC

Spalding then had a purple patch for 10 minutes, scoring three tries to ease themselves well clear of the opposition.

With Ingleby enjoying the freedom to run and find gaps in the opposition defence, he again used his speed and an eye for an opening to score but, with Mason's conversion kick bouncing back off the posts, the scores were level.

Flanker Will Shields was causing problems throughout the game with his speed to the breakdown and his carries.

Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC
Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC

With Shields establishing a Spalding ruck 15 metres from the try line, the visitors' guard defence were left standing as Da Silva, arriving in support, spotted a gap and sprinted to touch down with the conversion easing Spalding further ahead.

On the blind side flank, Henry Hobson was having a solid debut for Spalding who were again making headway against Biggleswade's defence.

Ben Shields then showed his pace and, as the visitors valiantly defended their try line, the ball was touched down under a bundle of defenders.

Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC
Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC

Right wing Sam Christie was replaced by Henry Duce with quarter of an hour to go.

Biggleswade were battling back towards the end of the game and, as Spalding defended their try line, Mason was yellow carded.

The visitors took immediate advantage to score through their forwards who drove over but a fairly simple conversion kick was missed which, as it turned out, would ensure a Spalding victory.

Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC
Rugby action from Spalding v Biggleswade at Spalding RUFC

Biggleswade then scored a converted try in the last minute and with Raimondas, now back on the field, delaying matters he was also yellow carded.

This was a good game for Spalding to win after playing some excellent rugby but disciplinary indiscretions were nearly costly.

They are away on Saturday at an Old Laurentians side who are one league place below Spalding so three good wins on the bounce is feasible.

Spalding: Sam Cowell, Lachlan Summers, Tomas Parker, Zokas Raimondas, George Brown, Henry Hodson, Will Shields, Jack Grundy Ben Shields, Conall Mason, Sam Christie, Willis Ingleby, Jack Patrick, Gav Sharman, Harry Brett. Subs: Miguel Da Silva, Taylor Crowson, Henry Duce.



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