Derby day dismay as Spalding’s winning run is ended at Bourne

Bourne 28 Spalding RFC 15

Spalding failed to unseat Midlands Three East (South) leaders Bourne as their winning run came to an end in a fiercely competitive local derby.

This was the first ever competitive meeting between Bourne and Spalding and was eagerly awaited by the players and spectators alike, especially with former Spalding players, Kier Moore, Adam McHugh and Sam Cowell now starring for the home team.

Bourne are the form team in the league, top of the table, with six wins on the trot, whilst Spalding were on a similar winning streak of six matches, having defeated both Stamford and Stockwood Park – both at the time league leaders.

Spalding started brightly using their forwards to carry the ball into contact led by player coach Harry Sharman before recycling and setting up the next phase.

Bourne were on the back foot and having drawn their defence in and the backs passed the ball out swiftly finding right winger Taylor Crowson, with a simple run in to open the scoring.

The home side responded through their forwards and a high tackle by Spalding saw Bourne’s fly-half Sam Evison kick a successful penalty.

Encouraged, Bourne’s forwards pressed Spalding deep in their half and from a stray line out, Evison capitalised for Bourne’s first try successfully converted.

As with any local derby the competition for the ball became intense. Both captains Dan Adams and Tom Dixon were warned by the referee and suddenly the home team found themselves two players short, having been yellow carded.

With two driving mauls on the five metre line, Spalding wasted golden opportunities to pull level but great credit goes to Bourne with their committed defence.

Spalding then lost Harry Cole for 10 minutes to a yellow card.

Things were not going Spalding’s way, with their backs struggling with some poor passing and when again on the five metre line they were judged to be holding onto the ball after being tackled, allowing a relieving kick for Bourne.

Bourne now started to bring their backs into play as they took control of the game with their scrum half Roberts snipping around the breakdown and sending out some excellent passes giving his fly-half space.

Bourne’s centre Thornburn ran in for their second try and a 15-5 half time lead.

Harry Brown replaced Cole in the pack and Wilson Crowson was on for scrum half Harry Exley in the second half which needed a good start by Spalding.

But it was Bourne, through their Captain Dixon who ran unopposed through Spalding’s defence for a converted try, bringing up a 17-point lead.

Finally, after 50 minutes of play, Spalding’s left wing Gav Sharman had the opportunity to show his pace and was denied by an excellent last ditch tackle.

However Spalding were now pressing and making, at long last, some headway with their carries led by Ash Anker and Ryan Chappell.

But a poor pass out from a ruck saw Bourne launch their try of the match from their 22 with the ball passed at pace along their backs and with a final offload, Berry, ran under the posts for their try bonus point.

However Spalding were not finished, with Harry Brown making ground on several occasions and brother George Brown having replaced Willis Ingleby earlier on also making an impact.

Wilson Crowson sold a dummy at a ruck and ran in from 15 metres, followed by Anker with a strong carry going over the line to bring some respectability to the score line.

Captain Dan Adams was disappointed with his team, with several players ignoring the game plan and being too individualistic, which is not how the team has played so successfully in recent weeks.

However he gave credit to Bourne, who are now on a really good winning streak, and deserved to win.

With the team at home on Saturday against Daventry in a 2.15pm kick off they will be determined to get back to winning ways.

Team: Pete Waudby, John Barrett, Luke Turner, Ash Anker, Jordan Templar, Harry Cole, Ryan Chappell, Harry Sharman, Harry Exley, Conall Mason, Gav Sharman, Dan Adams, Willis Ingleby, Taylor Crowson, Ed Booth Subs Wilson Crowson, Harry Brown, George Brown.