The stage was set on Saturday at Coppice Lane for a fiery encounter between two local sides currently residing at either end of the table. When these teams met earlier in the season they could only be separated by a point, with Spartans taking the spoils on that occasion; and on the first half showing it initially appeared that this match was destined for a similar result.

Old Salts’ powerful players seized the early dominance in the game and appeared to have shaken the home side who were making numerous errors across the park. The reliable boot of Tom Hardy attempted to settle the nerves of the home crowd with a penalty kick but Salts were straight back on the front foot, despite missing a kick for the posts, and a quick tap penalty from a deliberate knock on led to the first try of the game which was duly converted. This appeared to provide the catalyst to kick start the Spartans game plan into life and a period of positive play followed which resulted in each side losing a man to the bin but more importantly a further penalty kick for the home team again converted by Hardy. The first half ended with the score finely poised at 6-7, a fair reflection of the contest so far.

The Spartans momentum was halted early in the second half with an Old Salts penalty kick and a couple of forced changes in the forwards through injury. However, the fresh faced replacements eased into the game without incident and it was Spartans who took the game by the scruff of the neck. The men in black started to show their prowess in the set piece and were duly rewarded with two scores. The first from a well executed line out and driving maul touched down by Ed Lambert, the second a penalty try awarded after numerous infringements by the visitors during successive Spartans scrums. The first try was converted by Hardy who also added a further penalty kick to put the score at 23-10.

Old Salts did attempt to comeback into the game and took advantage of Spartans losing Mike Foulds to the bin with an industrious try under the posts. However, the home side ensured that the game was put beyond a single score with another Hardy penalty and saw the game out with the final score at 26-17.

Spartans look to continue their campaign when they travel to Kidderminster next weekend, a fixture which was postponed due to poor weather on the last attempt.