Spartans Stags 48 Handsworth 2s 19

With temperatures barely rising above freezing, a hardy group of hip flask wielding supporters turned out at Coppice Lane to welcome debutante Charlie Stewart into senior rugby with his first game in the Stags.

Playing in a backline that also contained dad Alex at 10, and uncle Dan at 13, Charlie made an early impression in the game, outpacing the Handsworth defence to go over for a try. This was to be one of a number of scores in the first period that built a healthy lead for the home side, and they defied difficult handing conditions throughout the afternoon with some quality passages of play.

In total, the Stags ran in 8 tries – 2 for Charlie Stewart, 2 for Dan Stewart, 2 for Luke Howell and one a piece for Mark Baines and Brucie Parkes. Alex Stewart knocked over the conversions to make up the scoring.

Not to be outdone the visitors notched up 3 tries and two conversions of their own, including a final flourish in the dying minutes with two late scores.