Spalding RFC began their Counties 1 Midlands East (North) campaign with a dramatic 33-33 draw against Southwell, recovering from a 14-point half-time deficit to claim three league points at home.
The Elephants were behind from the fifth minute and spent most of the match chasing the visitors. Southwell appeared set to leave with victory after opening a seven-point lead with only a few minutes remaining, but Spalding produced one final attack and levelled the contest in the last minute.
Southwell take early control
The visitors were awarded a penalty after an exchange of back chat with the referee. From the back of the resulting scrum, Southwell’s fly-half broke through weak tackling and scored a converted try.
That score helped Southwell move quickly into a 14-0 lead. Spalding’s response came within five minutes, when captain Willis Ingleby dived over close to the corner flag for a converted try.
Ingleby then helped create another home score. His kick through was gathered by Taylor Crowson, who offloaded to right winger Ben Shields. Shields completed the move by finishing in the corner.
Southwell’s forwards continued to trouble the Spalding pack, though, and two more Southwell tries gave the visitors a 14-point advantage at half-time. The home side therefore had a significant deficit to overcome after a first half in which Southwell’s early pressure and forward carries had repeatedly created problems.
Late Spalding fightback
Spalding reduced the gap after Ollie Machin set up Charlie Beecham for a try. The successful conversion brought the Elephants back into contention and gave them renewed hope of rescuing something from the opening fixture.
Southwell immediately restored pressure from the kick-off. Two powerful carries helped the visitors establish a seven-point lead with only a couple of minutes left, leaving Spalding needing a score and conversion to avoid defeat.
The Elephants launched their final attack and won a quick-tap penalty five metres from the posts. Ingleby squeezed over the try line, and a straightforward conversion made the score 33-33, ensuring the points were shared between the teams.
The draw meant Spalding opened the campaign with three league points. The match report was published on September 30, 2026.
New signings included in squad
New signings Alex Newberry and Henry Hoyles were included in Spalding’s home squad. Southwell also selected several new faces for the match.
Spalding’s starting team was Broome, Anker, Newberry, Douglas, Hobson, Firth, W Shields, Lambe, Wraith, Ingleby, Foster, Machin, Crowson, B Shields and Beecham. The substitutes were Humphrey, Parker and Hoyles.
For Spalding, the result combined a difficult start with a strong finish. Southwell had led from the fifth minute and twice established what looked like a decisive advantage, but Ingleby’s late try and conversion preserved an unbeaten opening result for the Elephants.