Spartans made the long journey north to a cold and bright Newcastle and turned in a workmanlike performance to begin 2018.
The home pitch was surprisingly firm and as the sun shone both sides started throwing the ball around as if it were September, and a good advert for amateur rugby was witnessed by a decent size crowd. For half an hour both sides tested each other out; Spartans looking livelier in the backs and Newcastle using their robust forwards to good effect, backed up by a very talented scrum half. Three clear cut chances were made by the black backs as they tried to break the deadlock, but on each occasion the last pass missed the target and Newcastle escaped. A good period of pressure by the home forwards finally saw the scoreboard change with a penalty, but aside from that the contest remained even.
The second half began with Spartans seeing the ball more than their hosts, and some better retention eventually saw little Jack Sharpe cross the whitewash for a try and a two point lead. The Men In Black stuck to their task well and pinned Newcastle in their own half, where they were stubborn in defence until Jack Sharpe pounced for his second. The home side were now chasing the game and continued to throw the ball about, but as their big forwards tired the supply started to dry up and The Blackness were able to control territory and possession until the reliable Tom Hardy banged over a penalty for a ten point lead. This time there was no way back for Newcastle and time ran out on an excellent contest between two similar sides who were allowed to play running rugby by a like-minded referee.
Spartans continue their league programme this week at home to Old Saltleians. (2.15pm).