Hat-trick of tries from Spencer sets up win for Red and Blacks
Sleaford RFC 1st XV 34
Grimsby 24
ON a cold and bright day, conditions were ideal for a free flowing, expansive game of rugby.
Sleaford started well and showed their intentions early on with a superbly worked try. Downing fed Mackie at scrum half and he moved the ball to Fisher. He in turn showed a good turn of pace, drawing the cover before offloading to A Gunter for the opening score. Mackie then landed to conversion.
Sleaford’s inability to build phases of play and move up field, gave the Grimsby team encouragement and the situation wasn’t helped by the inconsistencies of the referee at the break down.
Having gained the lead Sleaford then proceeded to give Grimsby an easy chance to get back into the game with a simple penalty, duly converted.
Mackie, after turning down an easy three points in front of the posts in the next phase of play missed an attempted a drop goal.
Sleaford did extend their lead when Stobart took advantage of space on the left to make an initial break and then fed Camm, who shrugged off the attentions of a high tackle to cross the line.
In response, Grimsby put pressure on the Sleaford defensive line. A clever chip through was nearly grounded but the referee adjudged that the ball had not been grounded and awarded Sleaford the five metre scrum.
With Sleaford failing to clear their lines, Grimsby eventually turned over the ball and crossed the line for their first try.
The first half was interrupted numerous times by injuries to players, which meant play was continually broken up and there was little continuity. But the home supporters had something to warm them up when Spencer, using his trademark hand off, crossed for Sleaford’s third try of the day.
The second half began slowly but Sleaford eventually made their dominance in the scrum show, with the Grimsby forwards tiring. Spencer went over for his second after taking the offload from A. Gunter, ably supported by Hopkins from the second row.
Spencer went on the complete his hat-trick following a neat pass from McQuade.
This looked to have sealed a comfortable win for Sleaford but Grimsby never gave up and they were rewarded with two late tries that brought them back into contention.
Any Sleaford nerves were calmed by Harley, who had assumed the kicking duties in the second half in place of the injured Mackie. He slotted over a penalty with the last kick to ensure victory for the Red and Blacks and also deny Grimsby the solace of a losing bonus point.
Sleaford 1st XV: Farmery, Harley, Davies, Downing, Hopkins, Pocklington, A. Gunter (capt), Fisher, Mackie, McQuade, Camm, Stobart, Spencer, Ingleton, Stevenson-Co. Subs: D. Gunter, Hards, Andrews
Sleaford scorers: Tries - A. Gunter, Camm, Spencer (3); Conversions - Mackie, Harley (2); Penalty – Harley
n This Saturday, Sleaford 1st XV take a break from league action but the following they make the short trip to face local rivals Kesteven.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
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
