CHASING SHADOWS: Alex Ioannou (right) looks on as Spalding try to stop Rasen’s progress. Photo by ADRIAN SMITH

Try-shy Spalding RFC bidding to finally break their duck

Spalding RFC once again go in search of their maiden Midlands One East win of the campaign this Saturday as they welcome fellow strugglers Newark to the Memorial Field (3pm).

It’s now eight defeats on the spin for Town after last weekend’s derby hammering at Market Rasen and Louth (click here for the report), but skipper Harry Sharman is refusing to give up and accept that relegation is a formality.

Having lambasted his charges last week, the talismanic captain – who will make his return the following weekend after a month out – saw plenty of positives at Rasen despite a severe 62-0 defeat .

Sharman said: “Last weekend was obviously frustrating. It was a disappointing performance full of silly errors.

“But we blooded a lot of young faces at the same time – and all of them did themselves proud.

“It was also great to see Tom Duerden playing again. When he’s fully fit, he’ll be a real asset for us.

“We’ll work hard in training this week and go again against Newark.”

Saturday’s visitors Newark have only won two of their eight games and find themselves in the bottom three. That being said, they earned an impressive 33-32 success over a strong Paviors side last time out.

Sharman admits that the game is one his side can target for a win. But he knows his side have been in this situation before – and having only scored 82 points in their eight games so far, it’s easy to see where their problems lie.

He added: “We’ve lost a real try scorer in Harry Harrison and we’re just not having enough of the ball to create chances.

“We’re missing a few experienced heads at the moment too. On paper, this obviously looks like it could be the game for us to get that win.

“But I’ve said that before a few times this season. Hopefully this is the one.”

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