Leighton Buzzard RFC 1st xv 54 v Spalding RFC 1st xv 22
Spalding travelled to the venue of their play off two years ago when they narrowly lost by two points, however this time the margin was far greater and the better prepared side was on top of their game for most of the match. With a number of key players missing mainly due to injury including skipper Harry Sharman it was inevitably a changed side and changed positions that lined up for the kickoff. Spalding kicked off down the perceivable slope but into the wind, although the slope and elements did not really work for the visitors. In fact it was not long before Leighton Buzzard had moved the ball wide feeding their right winger who was first to score in the corner. The difficult kick for the home side was too much and the ball was wide of its mark. Even early on the signs were ominous for the visitors with the ease that Leighton were able to secure possession and run hard at the Spalding defence. In the first half it was mainly damage limitation as far as Spalding were concerned. Leighton had scored three more converted tries before Spalding were able to make some headway. A penalty kick allowed Laurence Rayner the opportunity to kick accurately for the corner. The following line out was won and Spalding forwards drove for the line and although being held up they shortly had a repeat performance when another penalty opportunity took them down to the Leighton 5 meter line again. The ball was won again by the ever reliable Mark Haighton, and the it ended up with Rayner who was off target with his drop penalty attempt . Leighton had the opportunity to turn their defence into attack and their next movement took them to the far end of the field to touchdown under the posts ensuring maximum points. As the first half was drawing to a close, Leighton repeated their earlier action. But Spalding were to have the last action of the half. Having been awarded a penalty Rayner took careful aim and allowing for the elements scored his side’s first points. The two sides turned around at half time with a 40 – 3 score.
Spalding made some position changes with the slope against them the supporting spectators feared the inevitable, but it was not to be. In fact Spalding commenced the stronger side and kept the pressure on for the most of the half. The flow of play was mostly in favour of Spalding who started with much more determination than in the first 40 minutes. Leighton Buzzard kicked off but were soon penalised and Rayner punished the home side with a long kick to touch. The resultant line-out was won and Spalding spread the ball wide to outside centre George Brown who crossed the line for the visitors first touch down. The conversion was unsuccessful. Leighton although had different ideas and crossed the line for two more converted tries. But with threequarters of the match gone Spalding were not giving up and in fact finished stronger than their hosts. Tom Duerden took up the initiative and from the base of the scrum made several runs and on one occasion was only stopped short of the line. And it was from a line out cleanly won by Haighton that enabled Ed Dueden to come away with the ball and cross the line for Spalding’s second try. Rayner confidently converted. As the match was drawing to a close again Spalding had the last word. A near repeat performance of the previous one except on the opposite side of the field. Haighton took the ball cleanly at the back of the line out. The ball went clearly to scrum-half and acting captain for the day Rob Lucas, who neatly side stepped the opposition to reach the line. Rayner converted. The final whistle blew with Spalding outscoring the opposition in the second half, however with only three tries they fell one short of the bonus point which was waiting to be claimed for their fourth try.

Spalding RFC: Rob Lucas (captain), Peter Shakespeare, Craig Dowse, Andy Branton, Mark Haighton, Ed Duerden, Luke Scotney, Tom Duerden, Andy Hoyles, Harry Exley, kevin Childs, Laurence Rayner, George Brown, Ollie Phillips, Harry Brown, Anthony Buckberry, Alex Coates, Andy