Uttoxeter 2nd XV 21 Spartans Stags 17

The Stags suffered their second defeat of the season in a closely fought contest up at Uttoxeter RFC.

With Uttoxeter fielding a youthful outfit, and a strongly stocked bench having had their first team league match cried off in the morning, the Stags new that they would be in for a difficult afternoon.

With the game only just underway, the hosts were soon on the scoresheet with a converted try following concerted pressure leaving their flanker to run in under the posts.

Rather than sit back and absorb pressure, the Stags went on the offensive with their forwards gaining the initiative in a beautiful demonstration of “bump and grind” rugby as they throttled the Uttoxeter pack. In defence, the Spartans’ backs held firm and controlled passages moved the play up field to lead to two penalties from Stewart, and a try from Howell giving them a half time advantage of 11-7.

The home side emptied their bench, but Stewart again boosted the visitors’ morale with a long range penalty effort.

As the game entered the final quarter, Spartans were hit by a double blow as loose ball in midfield allowed the Uttoxeter centre to break away and score under the posts, soon to be followed by a further score from a speedy backline. Both conversions were added.

In what could have been an incredible final twist Stewart kicked his 4th penalty to close the gap to 4 points, and then as the concluding 10 minutes played out, the visitors were thwarted by 2 driving lineouts being stopped on or just short of the Uttoxeter line. A resulting 5 metre scrum was hauled down by a desperate defence, and although a quick tap penalty put Howell in under the posts, the play was called back by the referee as he blew the whistle for the end of the match.”