St Neots 22-24 Spalding

After travelling away last week, St Neots were back at home and ready for another challenging match against undefeated Spalding. After a frustratingly close finish last weak saints were hoping to put a dent in Spalding's title dream.

Spalding started strongly with lots of significant carries from their forward pack. St. Neots forwards had been working hard in the week to combat this play and were soaking up the pressure. After winning the ball back and fighting back for some territory Saints made a handling error out wide. This gave Spalding a good opportunity to attack the St Neots backs. With some speedy running and clearly a well drilled backs move they slipped throught the centres and scored an early try.

St. Neots were keen to even things back up. Carries from blue pods dented the away teams’ defence and it wasn't long before the less experienced centre Dean Terreblanche used his habits from the wing to pace at least 30 yards up the pitch. Scrambling in defence Spalding were forced into ill discipline. Kicking the penalty to the corner St Neots were ready to give Spalding a look at some of their set pieces too. After a successful lineout, scrum half Jack Webb chose the simple yet effective options of giving the ball to the full tilt prop. Ryan Burke’s return to the 1st's quickly saw him back to business as usual, being unstoppable from 10 meters out.

From kick off after an attacking battle from both sides Spalding were able to find a hole around the outside of the St Neots wall and they ran in their seccond for the day. St Neots were reluctant to go in at half time down on the board and were scrapping for every inch. Captain Aiden Jordan forced several turnovers in the rucks, second row Ross Hubbard was thumping in tackles and experienced centre Rory Peppler-Jones was shutting out breaks in the wide channels. Taking the chaos in their stride, St Neots found themselves out wide with opposition defences broken and tracking back. The ball popped out but with no scrum half to clear up the ruck it was the number 8 who picked it up. Drawing his opponent and a well-timed offload sent bookies favourite Rory Dingermans sprinting in from the half way mark for a try. Half time came and with Joe Woodgate's trusty boot for the conversion - Saints were up by 2 points.

Early in the second half St Neots had caught their breath and were buzzing to get started. They received the kick off and after moving the ball from the far side of the pitch Woodgate found himself mismatching his opposition for pace and gliding in under the posts to take a more significant lead. Spalding were frustrated, not prepared to have to fight for the win and Saints were reluctant to give it up. The two teams battled evenly for a significant part of the half but the Spalding crash balls became a challenge when they moved in 2s. Isolating a defender and popping to his teammate Spalding drew the game close once again.

The St Neots pack drove possession on the pitch. Drawing closer to the end of the game and looking to gain the win they had grafted for all game. When a penalty was given within range Woodgate stepped up again to tip the points back in St Neots favour. St Neots had kicked 2/3 conversions and a penalty now putting them at 22 to a Spalding 17.

Spalding were not done yet as they added another try and this time the conversion was good, putting them 2 points in front. With 12 minutes on the clock St Neots had a big ask ahead of them to gain the full haul of points. Spalding made it easier after their 8 was sent to the bin for a high tackle. Saints, with and extra man got themselves close on several occasions through scrums and linouts. But it was always the final few meters where they were not quite clinical enough. Woodgate had an opportunity of the tee to take the win but almost instantly after the posts were signalled the wind picked up and it wasn't to be.

St Neots are now hungry for a win after putting in 2 consecutive team efforts and not quite securing their win. Thanks to the home support which is always loud and proud.