Warwickshire Shield Round One

Spartans began their 56th season with a cup tie against a lively and committed Rugby St Andrews, but gradually showed that all the hard work put in to pre-season training had been worth it as they chalked up a win from a workmanlike performance.
Taking the chance to give debuts to both forwards and backs, the Men In Black got off to a flyer with a very early try from the backs, but Saints showed they were up for a fight and an excellent long range penalty trimmed Spartans lead. The home side had a job containing some big Saints forwards, but keeping the ball alive in near perfect conditions on the manicured Coppice Lane turf was the order of the day and Spartans duly stretched their lead to 28 - 3 at half time with three further tries from forwards and backs alike.
Saints were in no mood to give up and showed ambition and effort as the second half began with the conditions in their favour, but there was no way through the black defence and the scoreboard operator took a good rest. As time ticked by Spartans gradually took control of the game, supporting each other well and breaking into the Saints half to regularly pressure the visitors line. In the last twenty minutes The Blackness showed some nice (if a bit rusty) touches to add another four tries to balance the scoring, but credit must be given to Saints who competed right up until the final whistle.
This week Spartans begin a much tougher league programme than last year when they host Barkers Butts at Coppice Lane. (3.00pm).