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

Spalding failed to capitalise on having the vast majority of play and territory in the first half of Saturday's defeat at Bugbrooke.

Instead of building a lead, the Elephants turned around at half-time 10 points adrift while having had two players yellow-carded

Although Spalding battled bravely in the second half, a further three tries were conceded for a disappointing 34-7 away reversal.

They had travelled over to Northamptonshire looking to build on their excellent performance the previous week at home against Bourne.

However, there were some changes to the team with a youthful back line with two colts, Sam Christie and Henry Duce, starting.

Harry Brett moved from full-back to lock and coach Phil Trotman put his boots back on to play in the back row while on the substitutes' bench there was also a welcome return for forward Ash Piccaver.

With the benefit of a good wind blowing mainly down the pitch, Spalding kicked off and had the home side on the back foot.

Within the first five minutes, three penalties and scrums had been awarded to Spalding enabling them to build early pressure and full-back Duce, joining the line, made a good break only to be denied five metres out by defensive tackles.

For the next 10 minutes, the game was being exclusively played in the home team's half of the pitch and a drive by the forwards was held up over the line.

Bugbrooke's response was to use their backs, orchestrated by their fly half Adam Sellers, to gain territory and, while attempting a tackle, Lachlan Summers received a yellow card.

This handed the home team a scrum advantage and the ball was spread wide and the left winger scored and, with a good conversion, suddenly from nowhere Bugbrooke had the lead.

From a good restart kick by Willis Ingleby and a chase down by Christie, Spalding had a scrum advantage 10 metres from the try line.

However, a relieving kick by Bugbrooke saw Christie and Duce make a break to create a two-on-one and a clear scoring opportunity was denied as the home defender deliberately knocked on.

The referee only awarded a Spalding scrum instead of a penalty try to the utter amazement of the visiting players.

Spalding drew level with some sharp running by the backs creating space for Callum Lewis on the right wing.

With several defenders still to beat, he cut back inside to level the score with Conall Mason converting.

George Douglas was struggling with a foot injury and was replaced by Piccaver.

Following some thrusting bursts and carries by the forwards with Tom Rollison and Summers making territory, Sam Cowell was held up over the try line but Bugbrooke were also making territory with their backs.

Spalding needed to defend inside their 22, but conceded a penalty and captain Luke Turner received a yellow card for communicating with the referee.

Having superiority in the scrums, Bugbrooke took full advantage of Spalding being short on numbers and their backs ran in two tries leading up to half-time to leave the visitors trailing by 17-7.

Having played 75 percent of the first period in Bugbrookes's half but unbelievably being 10 points down at half-time, the writing was on the wall for Spalding.

The home side were not afraid to use towering kicks to gain territory and at the same time caused the Spalding defenders problems when attempting to catch the ball.

Likewise penalties were kicked deep for a lineout creating mounting pressure on Spalding’s try line.

As a result the home team ran in three second half tries for a disappointing outcome for Spalding.

The Counties 1 Midlands East (South) campaign now breaks up until Saturday, January 4, when Spalding host Biggleswade.

Spalding: Tomas Parker, Tom Rollinson, Luke Turner, George Douglas, Harry Brett, Phil Trotman, Lachlan Summers, Sam Cowell, Ben Shields, Willis Ingleby, Sam Christie, Conall Mason, Ryan Firth, Callum Lewis, Henry Duce. Subs: Miguel Da Silva, Ash Piccaver.