Spartans 29, Droitwich 5.

The latest episode of Men In Black saw a classic game of two halves as hurricane Desmond visited Coppice Lane, providing an interesting contest and blowing the scoreboard and the players away in the process.

With the howling gale behind them in the first half, Spartans were just about able to compete with some huge Droitwich forwards and the early exchanges were pretty even as both sides tested each other out. The black forwards showed a surprising degree of intelligence in using the wind to keep 'Spa in difficult places, and the first quick ball won allowed the home backs to slice through for a nice try. As the wrestling match up front continued Spartans kept the home side in all the right places, but a stubborn defence made life difficult until the blacks drove over for an ugly try. Minutes later a cheeky wind assisted drop goal took the game further away from the visitors and on the stroke of half time a try wide out on the left gave Spartans a twenty two point cushion.

As the second half started Droitwich wasted no time in using the gale to good effect and a series of long kicks pinned Spartans near their own line. Using their big forwards well Droitwich eventually succeeded in grounding the ball and the home side were left wondering if their lead would hold out. A rare combination of brains and brawn led to the Men In Black neutralising both the weather and the opposition by keeping the ball for long periods and although in facing the gale they couldn't score themselves, neither could Droitwich and the clock ticked away. Faced with this stalemate the visitors became extremely frustrated and no less than three yellow cards were shown during which time Spartans were awarded a penalty try to close the game and gain a vital bonus point win.

This week Spartans welcome old freinds Pinley to Coppice Lane, hoping that the wind will have dropped to a gentle breeze.