Nuneaton Old Edwardians 12, Spartans 63.

Spartans travelled to Nuneaton more in hope than expectation, but in a tough encounter with an experienced and committed 'Nuns they gradually showed improvements on previous weeks and chalked up a win from a workmanlike performance.

Taking the chance to give more debuts from the bench, the Men In Black got off to a flyer with a very early try from the backs, and Nuns were forced to show their hand as they tried to slow thing down to gain some control of the game. Nuns had a job containing the lively Spartans backs who decided keeping the ball alive in near perfect conditions was the order of the day and Spartans duly stretched their lead to 28 points with three further tries and some immaculate kicking from Tom Hardy. The latter stages of the first half saw Nuns dominate and hang onto the ball, and the home side were rewarded with a fine try just as the hooter sounded to please the large crowd on the touchline.

Nuns 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 was soon busy again as the visitors added to their lead and the home side clawed one back from close range. As the home forwards started to tire a few took a good rest but Spartans had other ideas, and as time ticked by Spartans gradually took control of the game, supporting each other well and breaking into the Nuns 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 Nuns who competed right up until the final whistle.
This week Spartans begin their National Cup campaign with a long trip to Shrewsbury. (3.00pm).