Rugby Lions 12, Spartans 8.

Spartans travelled across the midlands to a resurgent, refinanced and reinforced Rugby Lions and put in the performance of a lifetime to earn a bonus point in a heated and hostile environment, against an expensively assembled and coached outfit who are very keen to regain their national league status.

Having paraded their latest two signings before the press cameras prior to kick off, Rugby began like a steam train with some very physical forwards and evasive backs combining well and Spartans were well and truly under the cosh for the first quarter. With both sides struggling to understand the Southern Hemisphere referee play remained in the black half, but a swollen crowd of over five hundred made their feelings known and some strong language directed at the officials left the scoreboard blank. Lions finally broke through when a bad bounce left Spartans stranded, and although it looked like the floodgates would open the visitors clawed their way back upfield and after a couple of probes, debutant Josh Atkins sneaked over in the corner for a try that was hotly disputed by the home players and crowd, leaving a scoreline of just 7 - 5 and a ray of hope for Spartans.

With Lions leaving the field for their half time oranges, Spartans stayed outside to admire the Webb Ellis Road facilities but could still hear the strong words from indoors. With the now baying crowd expecting a return on their investments, Rugby did not disappoint and were off to a flyer as a stepping winger found the outside and raced in to score. Once more it was all hands to the pumps as the dam threatened to burst, but Spartans scrambled defence managed to hang on, and a series of Lions' errors took them downfield where Tom Hardy bagged a penalty to get within a try. Again Rugby responded and the two dominant Lions forwards Sam Herrington & Alex Tansley carried the ball deep into Spartans half, but chances went begging and once more the Men In Black were off the hook. With frustration creeping into a hugely talented Lions side, Spartans worked a grandstand finish and found themselves parked on the home five metre line, but a streetwise and seasoned Rugby pack managed to finish the game with fifteen players on the field and their noses in front - just!

Life doesn't get any easier for Spartans this week as they host promotion favourites Earlsdon at Coppice Lane. (2.15pm)