Spartans 53, Droitwich 22.

An entertaining game between two sides prepared to throw the ball around became one of two halves as the early season form book was ripped up with Spartans gaining a valuable bonus point win against a heavyweight Droitwich side.

The game opened with a dream start for Spartans with their small forwards winning the early ball, and some sharp hands across the backs saw Jamie Parker scoot home for an early try. Droitwich used their large forwards very well and being happy to grind away, they made considerable progress in the tight areas and were rewarded with an equaliser. On a still day, penalties saw both kickers managing to miss the target but Droitwich moved ahead with another bout of muscle based play, only for Spartans to respond with a second try for Parker to level it. Once more Droitwich used their big forwards well for a seven point lead, but on the stroke of half time Hardy landed a penalty for a 19 - 15 scoreline to the visitors.

The second half started badly for Spartans as Droitwich seized the initiative, and only desparate defence stopped the scoreboard ticking, but the great escape began as the home side crept downfield and scored an ugly try to take the lead. Droitwich hit back again through their impressive pack and bagged a penalty to level things, but the writing was on the wall as they began to tire. The cunning plan continued as Spartans kept the ball alive, and with the black backs running well three tries were added in a purple patch of ten minutes for Spartans to put Droitwich on the canvas. As the pressure increased and the clock ticked visiting tempers flared allowing the referee to use his red and yellow cards, and Droitwich were left static as the darkness overcame them. Two more tries from the unforgiving Men In Black, the last one a collector's edition, saw the job finished for a satisfying day at the office but leaving plenty to work on for the challenges ahead.

This week Spartans take a break from league action as the National Cup Competition is played.