Spartans 23, Earlsdon 25.

The first half began with both sides testing each other out and a stalemate ensued, but a decent effort from the home forwards at scrumtime saw Spartans take the lead, and with Hardy adding the extras Spartans were seven points to the good. Earlsdon hit back and slick hands up the touchline saw a try in the corner to close the gap, and with the momentum British Police International Chris Scott added a drop goal to give the visitors the lead. With little flowing rugby on offer, injuries forced Spartans to reshuffle but new boy Richard Greenhaigh marked his entrance from the bench with a try to leave Spartans 12 - 8 up at half time.

The second half saw Earlsdon use the conditions well and Scott used his experience to pin Spartans in their own half, but the game remained even and the frequent whistle left little to get excited about. Spartans added a penalty but Earlsdon hit back with a converted try, and at 15 all the score reflected the game. The Men In Black showed some Jekyll and Hyde characteristics: James Gibbons scoring a fine try and Tom Hardy landing a penalty, but a failure to go beyond the average allowed Earlsdon a converted try and a one point margin was never going to be enough. Scott continued to exert his influence and with six minutes left a penalty at the lineout saw him kick for three points to take the game, leaving Spartans with a deserved bonus point but no more.