Spartans 3's 28 Atherstone 15

With no league game, Spartan 3'as entertained a very capable and belligerent Atherstone 2's at Coppice Lane on a fine Saturday afternoon. Missing a number of key players, Spartans were forced into playing a number of people out of position, but were in a confident mood after their win the previous week.
Spartans started strongly, forcing Atherstone deep into their own territory, but indiscipline and the big boot of the Atherstone 15 gave the visitors a chance to clear their lines. For the first quarter of the game, both defense's held firm, with the Spartan forwards starting to dominate the set piece while Atherstone's large forwards had found momentum in the maul. With the game been played around the half way line, it was Spartans who struck first. With Spartans forwards providing good quick ball, Joe Knibbs made a break, the ball going down the line to Michael "Cherie" Blair who showed excellent pace to out sprint the Atherstone defense and score under the posts. Unfortunately, during the move, Joe suffered a broken nose so Spartans had to readjust their back line again. Michael converted his own try to give the men in Black a 7 - 0 lead.
Atherstone found another gear, putting pressure on the Spartans defensive line using their big forwards and runners to good use. The line held firm until just before half time when one of the Atherstone forwards found a chink in the armour and went over the line. However, they missed the conversion and Spartans lead 7 - 5 going into the break.
Galvanising the troops at half time and with the slight slope in their advantage, Spartans started strongly with their set piece once again providing a solid platform. Atherstone defending tenaciously, making breaks of their own. However, the Men in Black were not to be denied and Blair found a smallest gap to snipe through and stepped the opposition full back to score thr first try in the second half. Converting his own try for the second time, Spartans now led 14 - 5.
Spartans came at Atherstone again, and it was a powerful break from centre Dan Cousens who set up the next try. Drawing three defenders and with a deft off load, Dan found Spartans wing George Hesketh who stepped the Atherston 15 to score with Blair converting. With around 20 minutes left, Spartans led 21 - 5.
Atherstone reorganised and came back strongly, forcing Spartans deep into their own half. This led to two quick tries to the visitors as they found themselves back onto the front foot. Failing to convert either try meant that with only 10 minutes left, Spartans led 21 - 15.
Spartans forwards continued to dominate the set piece, forcing indiscipline from Atherstone who found themselves a man down after being yellow carded. Spartans continued to apply pressure and Atherstone were forced to clear their lines with a big kick downfield straight into the hands of Cameron Holland. The young Spartans full back showed superb pace and vision to go from well inside his own half, around the despairing Atherstone defenders to score under the posts. Again, Blair converted taking his personnel tally to 18 and make the final score 28 - 15.
Spartans 3's are back in league action this weekend away to Five Ways Old Ed's.