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One try is enough to earn Red and Blacks a vital victory
Sleaford 1st XV 5 Grimsby 0 THE Red and Blacks of Sleaford ended a tense and nervy encounter on Saturday with only their second victory of the season.
The narrow 5-0 margin over fellow strugglers Grimsby was huge in terms of their fight against relegation.
Prop Dave Davies was driven over for the single score but the real story was the 'never-say-die' defence.
Head coach Lofty Holmes was relieved and delighted. He said: "It wasn't pretty, in fact it was ugly at times, but we hung on.
"It's a massive win and well deserved, the spirit has been strong all season and it's great for the lads to get something for all the effort they put in."
Sleaford fielded a strong pack and with first choice front row of Davies, Priestley and the impressive Sid Lewis always on top in the scrum and Adam Downing a towering figure in the line out it meant there was always secure first phase ball.
Sleaford were again forced to play young and inexperienced players in the back line as injury and unavailability depleted the squad but the centre pairing of hard-hitting Scott Sharpe and debutant Charlie Smith put in outstanding defensive performances as their confidence grew. Credit also to Euan Adamson who marshalled the defence and lead by example with a composed game at full back.
The game started positively, with Sleaford receiving the kick off and driving play deep into Grimsby territory with some direct running and fluent off-loads. Momentum was lost when, rather than keep ball in hand, possession was squandered.
The game became scrappy early on, with defences on top, and both sets of backs unable to mount any decisive attacks. Sleaford were in control up front and strong runs by Gareth Bradwell and Sean Kelly were well supported and kept the pressure on Grimsby.
At times the Red and Blacks were guilty of trying too hard, forcing play and turning over the ball or conceding penalties.
At half time the score remained 0-0.
After the break, Grimsby were forced into turning over possession close to their line and a series of forward drives lead to the Davies try. With the conversion missed another score was vital and Sleaford pressed hard to increase their advantage, Lee Williams directing the forwards well.
Veall, deputising at fly half, began to use Sharpe to take the ball up and relieve pressure, with Bradwell, Pocklington and Chambers quick to secure the ball in the ensuing ruck.
As the game wore on Sleaford's narrow lead looked fragile as a spirited Grimsby refused to accept defeat.But Sleaford were a match with committed and, sometimes, desperate defence never more so when Dan Mackie saved a certain try tackling the Grimsby wing right on the line.
The final whistle was greeted with relief and euphoria by Sleaford. The value of the victory remains to be seen but a more confident Sleaford will travel to Nottingham Moderns
this Saturday for another important 'four-pointer'.
Sleaford 1st XV squad: Davies, Priestley, Lewis, Downing, Bestwick, Pocklington, Kelly, Bradwell, Williams, Veall, Cowell, Sharpe, Smith, Mackie, Adamson, Chambers, Cockroft, Rowbotham
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Weather for Sleaford
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
