The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
How the fortunes of these two teams have changed over the last 12 months.
This time last year Spalding entertained Coalville at home on the last game of the season with both teams having had a fairly poor season, sitting just above the relegation zone, but Spalding tore Coalville apart with an outstanding second half display of running rugby coming out 66-7 winners.
Twelve months later and what a different story as Spalding travelled over to Coalville for their last game of the season.
The home team, after a fairly indifferent start back in the autumn, were now on a winning run of 11 consecutive games, lying second in the league, brimming with confidence, knowing that a bonus point win would secure them a play-off place against Oundle for promotion to Midlands One (East).
In complete contrast, Spalding with just the one win all season with confidence and morale naturally affected by results taking to the field, knew that defeat was almost a certainty and the job for the day was to limit the damage.
Within the opening minutes Coalville showed their intentions and immediately had Spalding on the back foot with both forwards and backs combining, testing the visitors’ defence.
A scrum was conceded on the five metre line and, with the ball secured, and, with a superior pack, a push try was conceded.
Coalville now embarked upon a display of free flowing running rugby and a further seven tries ticked up on the scoreboard for a half-time score of 57-0.
However, the start of the second half was a complete surprise for the spectators.
Relying on the forwards led by Mark Haighton, last year’s captain Sam Cooke – who had just returned from Australia – Ash Piccaver and Harry Brown with Richard Cooke prompting from scrum half, the ball was kept in the forwards, retaining possession and driving forward.
The result was to deny possession to the home team.
Finally, Spalding were rewarded after the forwards had worked their way deep into Coalville territory.
With the ball being released along the backs, centre George Brown cut back on an angle for a well-executed try.
Unfortunately the revival could not be sustained and in the last 15 minutes Coalville resumed their try scoring, running out comfortable winners.
Spalding will need to regroup during the summer, look forward to next season in Midlands Three and follow the example of Coalville who have been able to quickly rebuild confidence and winning ways within 12 months.
Spalding: Jacob Greaves, Sam Cooke, Josh Caley, Mark Haighton, Harry Brown, Harry Cole, Ash Piccaver, Ash Anker, Richard Cook, Will Shields, Gav Sharman, George Brown, Jason Steels, Ben Shields, George Douglas. Subs: Jacob Hutson, Kev Hudson, John Barrett.
