Warwickshire Shield Winners!!!

Finals rarely produce a feast of running rugby and this was no exception but both sides contributed to an enthralling and even contest that went right down to the wire.

Barkers started the stronger of the sides and soon had the upper hand in the set pieces, but Spartans rode their luck and slowly got a foothold in the game. With plenty of penalties being awarded but none being in kicking range the game became very stop/start, but both sides grew in confidence and attempted to throw the ball about. Barkers launched several attacks through a lively back division, but the black defence held firm and the threat reduced. At the 20 minute mark Spartans broke into Barkers half and kept the ball well enough to probe around the fringes of the tackles, and eventually Will Sharpe spotted a mismatch and waltzed under the posts for the try, converted by Tom Hardy. The response from Barkers was both swift and strong, but again they found no way through for their varied attack. Eventually a very kickable penalty came which Butts gratefully accepted to close the gap, and the intense contest continued. Spartans worked hard to come close in the left corner and it was Butts' turn to defend but no scores were added and play moved back downfield. On the stroke of half time a fine sequence of play saw Barkers look certain to score, only for a try saving tackle from Michael Blair to force the winger into touch and at the break it was still anyone's game.

The second half began where the first left off - an intense battle between the forwards punctuated by the referee's whistle and two well matched sets of backs testing each other when the chance arose. Butts seemed to be winning the forward battle keeping Spartans in their own half for long periods, and eventually they forced their way over from close range to snatch an 8 - 7 lead, but crucially the conversion was missed and the door was left open. Spartans were still struggling to find territory and weren't helped when they received a mystery yellow card, but some sensible play saw Barkers infringe and it was a three pointer from Hardy to recapture the lead. Now it was the Men In Black on the front foot and Barkers were stuck in their own 22 for long periods. Repeated attacks were defended very well but eventually the overlap was worked and Spartans got in at the corner for try and a cushion which they never gave up. Whilst the final ten minutes seemed to last a lifetime, Butts were pinned in their own 22 and despite some very clever play they couldn't escape, and with time up Tom Hardy booted the ball out to Minworth to seal a hard fought win.