Friendly win gives Spalding RFC a timely boost ahead of new season

Spalding RFC beat rivals Stamford RFC 25-22 in an entertaining pre-season clash on Saturday.

Led by new skipper Richard Cooke, who was ably assisted by vice-skippers Ash Piccaver and Jason Steels, Town ran in five tries in the second half to turn a 12-point deficit on its head.

The Elephants kicked off with wind and sloping pitch advantage looking for their pack to gain an upper hand. Both teams took time to settle, but Spalding’s pack gained an advantage allowing Will

Shields, scrum-half to get the ball away to fly-half Willis Ingleby, who showed plenty of confidence with ball in hand or kicking for territory on debut.

Dan Adams also made a welcome return at centre alongside Tom Wilson, with two fliers Gav Sharman and Ashton Capes on the wing.

It was Stamford who seized control of the game with two tries created from breakdown situations out on the right wing and at half time the home team had a 12-point advantage

Coach George Reid brought on familiar faces Harry Sharman, Ash Anker, Hudson and Ben Shields, amongst others, at the break.

The Spalding pack now turned the screw, with their pick and drives and domination of the scrums and Harry Sharman bagged two quick tries, with Cooke also squeezing over to take the lead by three points.

Stamford broke through the middle to snatch the advantage back, but Town responded with a good backs move to put Ben Shields in space on the right to go in at the corner.

Mason then put an excellent penalty kick into the corner, knowing that Piccaver and Kieran Bailey had been winning good lineout ball all afternoon.

Adams, on a crash ball move, gained good territory and Anker was on hand to force his way over for Spalding’s fifth try.

Stamford responded with the final try of the afternoon at the death, but Spalding ran out worthy winners.

Town (from): Greaves, Rollinson, Turner, Berry, Piccaver, Cooke, Bailey, Steels, Shields, Ingleby, Capes, Adams, Tom, G Sharman, Douglas, H Sharman, D Sharman, Anker, Hudson, B Shields, Mason, Christmas and Freeman.