Stafford 18 – Spartans 3

The home side started the game quickly with forward play putting Spartans under some early pressure. The Men In Black stood their ground, but the sustained Stafford attack saw them concede a penalty. The relatively simple kick bounced off the post and Spartans were able to clear their lines, but a Stafford counter attack back up the field meant Spartans were back on the defence. Another penalty was awarded which squeezed between the posts to put the home side in the lead. Spartans worked hard to contain the older, wiser and heavier Stafford side, and after some enterprising play struck back with a penalty from Tom Hardy to level the scores. As the half continued Spartans continued to put together a few sequences of attack, but the home side defence was solid and either side looked capable of winning the game.

Stafford turned up the pressure from the beginning of the second half and Spartans were forced backwards, but stubborn defence prevented the scoreboard changing. With an hour played and the game still undecided, Stafford's experienced players in key positions began to influence the game, and from a counter attack Stafford finally found the key to Spartans defence. Stafford moved the ball well for a try in the corner which went unconverted, and added a successful penalty kick to increase their lead. Spartans refused to lie down and worked themselves into some good field positions, but good home defence eventually turned into a breakout and Staffords second try of the game was successfully converted for the final score of the match.

This week Spartans host high flying Moseley Oak in round nine of the league campaign.