Spartans 32 - Crewe & Nantwich 19

A higher placed and hugely talented Crewe & Nantwich side visited Coppice Lane for the first time but left empty handed in a tense battle between two sides who both wanted to play rugby despite the murky conditions.

The opening exchanges saw a familiar story unfold; Spartans having to work very hard against some large and illustrious forwards supported by some lively backs, but the home side picked their fights well to keep the visitors on the back foot. The Spartan pack drew first blood with a driven try which was quickly followed by the backs seizing on a Crewe mistake to double the lead, and some more enterprising and practical play saw a third try and a penalty added for a twenty point lead after twenty minutes. With neither side able to sustain the pace of the game the weather took over and both teams withdrew to the trenches, but the contest remained even with the breakdown fiercely fought. Spartans sadly lost hooker Jack Bingham in one such breakdown, but the debt was repaid on the stroke of half time with a hotly disputed fourth try for the hosts.

It was clear to everyone watching that Crewe would respond and the question was "How long would the lead last?". The visitors threw the kitchen sink, washing machine and tumble dryer at Spartans and were soon on the scoreboard with a seven pointer, adding another within a few minutes as they strung a series of attacks together. The impressive Crewe backs were now running from deep and dictating the game on a constant supply of good ball from their solid forwards, leaving Spartans to defend in their 22 for long periods. Somehow the desperate home defence survived the onslaught, including a big shout for a Crewe try with the game finely balanced. As Spartans relieved the siege the evening gloom was lifted by a moment of stunning beauty as a scrum on the left led to a break upfield through the middle and then out wide on the right for Matthew Southam to dot down and break a few Crewe hearts. Once more the visitors hit back and added a third try after some more fine play, but with the light nearly gone the referee decided enough was enough and Spartans had secured an unexpected result against a very good side.

Life doesn't get any easier this week for the Men In Black as they travel to Kidderminster Carolians. (2.15pm).