Spalding pipped at post

Leicester Vipers 25 Spalding 20

There was heartbreak for Spalding RFC with a deserved win at Leicester snatched away in the last minute.

Spalding had led for 60 minutes thanks to a good team spirit, matching and outfighting a strong Vipers on their own ground for most of the Midlands Counties One East (South) encounter.
Spalding edged the first half, going in at the interval with a nine-point lead. Vipers made good use of their strong pack of forwards to take the lead early in the second half only for Spalding to fight back going into the last minute with a two-point lead.
Then, agony for Spalding. They were a man short in the backs after fly half Willis Ingley received a yellow card and Vipers’ right wing outpaced the visiting defence to score in the 79th minute to snatch a home victory.
There had been early agony for Spalding after their forwards smashed into the home defence on their try line with a series of controlled pick and goes from the ruck. Vipers’ defence was solid but the ball was spread along the backs to left wing Gav Sharman. He outpaced the cover defence and dived across the try line to score.
However, at the same time, a Vipers defender dived across, smashing into Sharman’s shoulder. After first aid attendance he was escorted off in pain and on Sunday was in hospital for surgery.
Aaron Coupe slotted in at full back with Sam Christie moving to the wing.
Both teams used their forwards to make inroads in the opposition defence with Spalding’s efforts led by captain Luke Turner along with Alex Worth and Zokas Raimondas. Flankers Will Shields and Fergus McKerracher seemed to be everywhere, tackling anything that moved
Vipers had a man yellow carded for a high tackle and a successful penalty kick by Conall Mason increased the visitors’ lead.
A high tackle was penalised and Spalding’s lead was reduced to two points
Towards the end of the first half, George Douglas towered high in a lineout, with Turner having to throw in due to absentees. A driving maul was established to set up a position for the forwards to drive for the line. After recycling from a couple of rucks, McKerracher squeezed himself over the try line, successful converted.
Just before the half-time whistle Miguel Da Silva received a yellow card.
After the break the home No.8 picked up to drive over near the posts and three minutes later, using their one-man advantage, Vipers spread the ball to their right wing and he kicked ahead and won the race for a converted try.
Vipers had edged into a three-point lead but lost a man to a yellow card, while Da Silva returned for Spalding.
Quick ball along the backs saw Adam Sutcliffe’s pass release speedster Sam Christie to score out wide to give Spalding a two-point lead with 20 minutes to go
It looked like Spalding had managed to hold out, with both teams a man down to further yellow cards until their speedy right winger outpaced Spalding’s cover to snatch victory.

Spalding: Da Silva, Medlock, Turner, Douglas, Raimondas, McKerracher, W Shields, Worth, Wraith, Ingleby, B Shields, Mason, Sutcliffe, Sharman, Christie. Subs: Schruwers, Coupe, Parker.