Barkers Butts 26, Spartans 34.

Spartans travelled to the England Nursery to face a strong Barkers side more in hope than expectation, but produced a workmanlike performance to stun their illustrious hosts and surprise the rugby community.

Playing with the slope but against the breeze, Spartans were immediately under pressure from a powerful 'Butts pack who surged forwards with the dangerous home backs stretching the thin black line to it's limits. With a home score imminent the ball was dropped and Spartans seized the chance with Matthew Perry scorching eighty metres down the tight side to score. Minutes later the lead was increased when some clever play saw Spartans Mike Blair finish off some good work and with Tom Hardy converting Spartans were twelve points ahead. 'Butts were stung into action and began to show their class with some excellent support play and strong running always threatening to overwhelm the visitors, and so it proved as despite missing a penalty they hit back with two excellent tries to make the scores level at half time and Spartans facing an angry home side with a point to prove for the second period.

The second half began as expected with the home side piling into the visitors as they searched for a knockout blow, and as the pressure increased the try soon came for a 19 - 12 lead. Spartans rolled with the punches and wouldn't lie down though, using the limited possession they had wisely to stay in the game. Hard won ball followed by some lovely handling skills saw Alex Garbett finish a fine passage of play to get closer but once more 'Butts went increased their lead with some quality finishing of their own. A well struck penalty from Tom Hardy narrowed the gap before a hotly disputed try was awarded to an unknown Spartan at the bottom of a pile of bodies, and the Men In Black were one point ahead with fifteen minutes still to go. 'Butts threw everything they had into the game and desperate defence kept the status quo until Matthew Southam took a blind side chance well for a try under the sticks for an eight point lead with five on the clock. Again 'Butts surged forwards and threatened to claim a share of the spoils, but time ran out leaving the exhausted Spartans gutsy winners.

This week Spartans take a break from league action and turn their attention to the Rugby World Cup.