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Spalding Rugby Club draw with Stewart and Lloyds in Counties 1 Midlands East (South).




A stunning comeback with two converted tries in the final three minutes saw Spalding Rugby Club secure their third draw of the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) season on Saturday.

The Elephants looked to be heading for an away defeat when their hosts extended their advantage to 14 points with just 10 minutes of the match remaining at Stewart & Lloyds Corby.

However, late tries from Jack Patrick and Sam Christie with Ryan Firth finishing with a 100 percent kicking record secured a dramatic share of the spoils for Spalding after a 30-30 draw.

Spalding secured a draw after a dramatic comeback at Stewart & Lloyds Corby. Photo: John Constable
Spalding secured a draw after a dramatic comeback at Stewart & Lloyds Corby. Photo: John Constable

By contrast the first half had been a very tight contest with both teams battling for control and Spalding edging the first quarter and going into the lead with a penalty kick for S&L not rolling away.

The home team replied with two tries leading up to half-time with their fly half using the ball well along their backs for scores out wide with Spalding replying from a further penalty.

It left the Elephants trailing 10-6 at the interval and, shortly after the restart, Conall Mason gifted S&L the ball with a stray back pass for a try under the posts.

Both teams exchanged penalty kicks before Spalding started building some momentum midway through the second half.

Their forwards had regained control of the scrums and sustained pressure brought its reward as Henry Duce cut from a good angle to score by the posts.

However, the effort looked in vain as with 10 minutes remaining S&L's talented fly half orchestrated a superb chip over Spalding's defence for their outside centre to run onto the ball and score.

With the conversion, the home team were 14 points ahead and looked to have won the game.

But, from the restart kick by Duce, the ball was high and deep and the catch was fumbled by S&L and spilled forward giving Spalding possession at the scrum.

The forwards took control with strong carries by captain Luke Turner and Lachlan Summers and it was the home team desperately defending their try line.

Spalding secured a draw after a dramatic comeback at Stewart & Lloyds Corby. Photo: John Constable
Spalding secured a draw after a dramatic comeback at Stewart & Lloyds Corby. Photo: John Constable

S&L gave away a couple of penalties with Spalding searching for a try.

After a third was conceded in succession, the referee could have awarded a try but instead gave another penalty in front of the posts.

Quick-thinking by Patrick saw him take a tap penalty, catching S&L unprepared as he dived over the try line.

With a simple conversion by Firth, an extraordinary comeback was possible with just three minutes remaining.

S&L kicked deep from the restart and all they had to do was keep Spalding pinned down in their 22 to secure a home win.

However, lock George Douglas took the high catch under pressure and gained some yards to then set up a ruck.

Spalding secured a draw after a dramatic comeback at Stewart & Lloyds Corby. Photo: John Constable
Spalding secured a draw after a dramatic comeback at Stewart & Lloyds Corby. Photo: John Constable

Spalding centres Firth and Patrick used their pace to gain territory and then the forwards took over with Fergus McKerracher and Sam Cowell making ground with pick and goes.

S&L's try line was beckoning and Jordan Templer drove forward but the home defence held and pushed him wide where winger Christie, on for Ben Shields, emerged and twisted his way over to score.

Firth, who had not missed a kick at goal all afternoon, stepped forward to take the conversion and calmly slotted the ball between the posts to level the score with just a few seconds remaining on the clock.

S&L's restart kick fell into Spalding's hands and they kicked for touch when the whistle was blown by the referee for full-time for a sensational away draw and two points which stunned the large home crowd.

With six league matches played, Spalding now have three away draws which leaves them seventh in the 12-team table. They now host Old Laurentians on Saturday.

Spalding: Sam Cowell, Jordan Templer, Luke Turner, George Douglas, Fergus McKerracher, Alex Worth, Will Shields, Lachlan Summers, Jim Wraith, Henry Duce, Ben Shields, Ryan Firth, Jack Patrick, Gav Sharman. Subs: Fraser Canham, Conall Mason, Sam Christie.



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