George pounces for dramatic late try as Spalding RFC earn elusive victory

Spalding RFC 26
Nottingham Casuals 22

A dramatic try from George Brown during the last play of the match earned Spalding RFC their first Midlands Two East (North) win of the season on Saturday.

Brown pounced on a loose ball in the dying seconds at the Memorial Field to crash over and clinch Town a 26-22 victory over Nottingham Casuals.

Harry Sharman, Taylor Crowson and man-of-the-match Harry Harrison also went over for tries for Town, who had lost their first five league games of the campaign.

The rarely exchanges on a damp surface soon demonstrated that Casuals had an upper hand in the forwards and it was not too long before a driving maul was establishing a good field position.

The ball was spun out to the backs who scored by the posts for a converted try.

This was followed by further Casual attacks and Ash Piccaver, having made a tackle, was caught not rolling away and a successful penalty kick gave the visitors an early ten-point advantage.

A few minutes later Spalding set up a counter attack from deep in their half. Full back Josh Broome surged forward, linking with centre Ben Williamson, who was brought down.

Casuals were penalised at the ensuing ruck and quick thinking by Sharman, who took a tapped penalty, drew an illegal tackle within ten metres and Casuals were down to 14 players for ten minutes.

Winger Harrison capitalised with a stunning run, going inside and out of players before offloading to Sharman to jog under the posts for Broome to convert.

On the half hour, lock Mikey Watts was carried off having sustained a leg injury, with player/coach Ben Williams coming off the bench. Half time was beckoning, but a poor Spalding lineout call to the back was caught in the wind and lost.

That allowed Casuals to go over for their second try for a 15-7 half-time lead.

With a strengthening wind at their backs, Town quickly gained territory with good tactical kicking from both Broome and Jim Williams.

That pressure led to Harrison speeding down the wing before cutting back inside to score under the posts, with Broome converting.

With the scores so close, temperatures then began to boil over as both teams battled for every inch of territory.

With play ebbing and flowing, Casuals found themselves in Spalding territory and the hosts were caught offside several times.

The referee finally yellow carded Kier Moore to give the visitors a superior scrum – and they drove home their advantage with a penalty try for an eight-point cushion.

Despite being a player down, Town then rose to the challenge and took the game to Casuals.

The ball was spread out to the right and centre Sion Williams put Crowson into space. Nottingham closed in, but Crowson stepped inside and dived over the final defensive tackle to touch down a wonderful try.

HOLDING ON: Spalding RFC defend on Saturday. Photo by ADRIAN SMITH

And, with an excellent conversion by Broome, Town moved back to being within a point of their rivals.

It looked like Spalding had snatched the win when sub Adam McHugh made inroads down the left wing. Sharman then took the ball on and released Harrison for what they believed was the winning try.

The referee, however, disallowed it for a forward pass – and shortly afterwards Harry Brown was yellow carded as the competition in the forwards became intense.

With Town’s luck seemingly out again, they could have been forgiven for dropping their heads.

There was none of that, though, with the vocal crowd cheering them on.

A kick deep into Casuals’ corner gained territory. The lineout was won by the visitors, but the ball was untidy and taken back towards their try line.

The ensuring ruck was secured by Casuals, but it was right on the try line.

George Brown was hovering and, realising the ball had become free and was in the in goal area, he tapped down.

This time the try was awarded – and was followed by the final whistle.

The welcome win doesn’t lift Town off the bottom of the table, but they are now level with Bakewell Mannerians ahead of Saturday’s trip to Southwell (2.15pm).

Spalding RFC: Sam Cowell, Sam Cooke (captain), Kier Moore, Mikey Watts, Bruno Figuerio, Ash Piccaver, Harry Sharman, Harry Brown, Jim Williams, Taylor Crowson, Kev Childs, Sion Williams, Ben Williamson, Harry Harrison, Josh Broome. Subs: Adam McHugh, George Brown and Ben Williams.