The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding RFC 38 Melton Mowbray 3
Spalding RFC produced one of their best performances in recent memory as they defeated Melton Mowbray 38-3 at the Memomorial Field on Saturday.
It’s now back-to-back Midlands Two East (South) wins for Town, who have made an impressive start to the new season.
Captain George Brown led the team out showing few changes from the two previous weeks, as the Elephants looked to build on last week’s stunning away win at Luton.
From the kick-off Melton had possession inside Spalding’s half and looked to open up the home defence with an attempted long pass out to their right winger.
But Callum Lewis on the left wing, came inside, plucked the ball out of the air and outpaced the whole of away defence to score the opening try within the first minute, with Connall Mason converting.
Melton regrouped, using their forwards and a solid scrum to get back into the game as both defences dominated.
They got on the board when Miguel Da Silva was penalised after 15 minutes for a high tackle and duly kicked a successful penalty.
It was not long before Da Silva had made amends, however. A Spalding lineout deep within Melton’s 22 saw George Douglas win the ball and establish a driving maul, with Da Silva breaking down the blind side and bursting through a tackle for Town’s second try.
Spalding were now dominating possession and grabbed try number three when Jordan Templer and Fabian Simpson made territory with their carries.
Melton defended their try line with determination, but Town’s patience was rewarded when Ash Piccaver squeezed over and, with Mason converting, putting the hosts 16 points up.
After the half-time break Spalding piled on the pressure straight from the restart and were soon encamped on Melton’s try line.
Sam Noble drove through for try number four and, with a simple Mason conversion, the lead had been extended to 23 points and, with that, the try bonus point was already secured.
The away side were battling hard to come back into the game and, with Spalding conceding several penalties at the breakdown, they were kicking for lineout possession rather than kicking for three points.
However, from one such lineout Templer rose above Melton’s jumpers and won possession. Scrum-half Adam Sutcliffe’s quick pass to Mason saw full-back Jack Patrick take the ball at pace under his own posts.
Within a flash his speed had opened up Melton’s defence, before a pass onto Gav Sharman and then Lewis, who outpaced the cover defence to score out wide for Town.
Spalding were not done there, with fly-half Mason showing the growing maturity in his play. His pass out opened up Sharman to again create the opportunity for Lewis to break free to score his hat-trick with just a few minutes remaining.
With a successful conversion, Spalding completed a fine win – and had entertained the home supporters to boot.
Next up for them is a trip to Northampton BBOB on Saturday (3pm).
Spalding RFC: Andy Fuller, Ash Anker, Miguel Da Silva, Jordan Templer, Ash Piccaver, Fabian Simpson, George Douglas, Adam Sutcliffe, Connall Mason, Ben Shields, George Brown, Gav Sharman, Callum Lewis, Jack Patrick. Subs: James Luto, Will Shields and Harry Brown.
