Spartans 17 - 10 Newbold

Spartans squeezed into the Warwickshire Cup semi finals for only the second time in history in a thrilling encounter with an excellent Newbold side.

The early exchanges were fairly even with Newbold looking to use their considerable size up front, but Spartans retained the ball well when they did have it, and play remained between the 22m lines. The game became a good contest in every area, with Newbold shading the lineout but Spartans looking threatening across the back line and both sides had chances to break the deadlock. After 25 minutes it was Spartans who nosed in front when Will Wright burrowed under a maul for a rare front row score, and with Tom Hardy converting against the blinding sun it was time for Newbold to respond. The Men In Black found themselves pinned in their own 22 for the next 12 minutes, but determined defence saw the siege relieved and Spartans escaped downfield. On the stroke of half time Michael Foulds spotted a gap and crossed the whitewash, allowing Tom Hardy to double the score with another tricky conversion.

In the second half Spartans faced the elements as well as a very determined opposition who sought to wear down the home defence with some punishing forward play and direct running from a solid pair of centres, and it seemed only a matter of time before a two try lead would run out. However, mistakes began to creep in and a frustrated Newbold didn't quite click until on the hour when they added a suitably muscular try, but crucially the conversion attempt rebounded off the bar. From the kick off Spartans regained the ball and after a couple of plays Newbold infringed on the half way line. Seasonal Christmas wishes to the referee cost them 10 yards and up stepped Tom Hardy to bisect the uprights with a penalty, but again Newbold came back strongly to add a second try, again missing the conversion to leave a vital seven point gap.

The last ten minutes saw Newbold turn up the heat and Spartans were well and truly under the cosh in their own 22. Suicidal defence saw Newbold held up on several occasions and eventually the Men In Black were reduced to just 14 as a yellow Christmas card was delivered. An agonising last few minutes saw Newbold try and batter their way over, but eventually the clock ran out on an entertaining and exciting game.