Red Ants book place in National Junior Vase quarter final

Spartans moved into the quarter finals of the National Junior Vase with a well deserved victory away at New Cross RFC.
The history of the two clubs couldn’t have differed any more, with the hosts celebrating their 10th anniversary this season as Spartans head into their 90th.

Spartans ensured the 130 mile trip to Newton Abbot but arrived in plenty of time, along with at least 80 supporters who travelled in support of their club.

Prior to the game it was clear Spartans would be up against another monstrous forward pack and they were to be put under considerable at scrum time throughout the game, with the refereeing decisions constantly going against them.
That said, the Ants were in complete control in the lineouts, winning 100% of their own ball and distrupting the vast majority when New Cross were throwing in.

The opening 10 minutes were typically frantic for such a big occasion for both clubs but once the game had settled the visitors scored 2 quite outstanding tries to opening up an early lead that they would never relinquish. The hosts tackled ferociously however Spartans were able to work their way into the 22 and after 14 phases of play the ball was moved wide to wing Brad Dunn who firstly stepped his opposite man before holding off a last ditch tackle to touch down. Into a very strong wind full back Ashley Lewis kicked an excellent conversion.

Within 2 minutes they had scored again and this time a training ground move was implemented to perfection. From a line out they moved the ball infield and after a number of decoy lines the ball founds its way to blind side wing Paddy Knight who swept around to create an overlap. The ball found its way to Dunn who unselfishly gave the scoring pass back inside to Lewis for a sublime score.

Spartans seems in total control however they were still on the wrong end of refereeing decisions at the scrums and New Cross were awarded a number of penalties to allow them some good field position. That coupled with some poor restarts from experienced fly half Ryan Barnett put the visitors under unforced pressure and this passage of play resulted in 2 penalties for New Cross to reduce the deficit to 12-6 and with prop Neil Farrell issued with a yellow card, the hosts went into the half time break with their tails up.

For Spartans, with the gusting wind now in their favour, it was important they controlled field position in the 2nd half. The introduction of big Terry Connor on the tight head helped them sure up the scrum as well and they always seemed in control of the game. Another well worked move led to their 3rd try for centre Aaron Fowke and the conversion stretched the lead to 19-6.

They could have and probably should have gone even further ahead when a well executed line out move saw Luke Foran barrel his way over for a try, however the referee’s assistance adjudged him to have lost control of the ball in the process of touching down, much to the shock of not only the visitors but the hosts as well.

New Cross, given a lifeline, continued to battle and use their super sized front five to wrestle any momentum they could. Spartans however have built their successful season on a resolute and physical defence and huff and puff as they may New Cross were unable to break down the Spartans rearguard.

A Lewis penalty with 8 minutes to put Spartans 16 points clear and the game was over as a contest however credit to New Cross who kept up to their task and were rewarding for their efforts with a pushover try with the last play of the game.
Spartans face Calne away in the quarter finals, on Saturday 18th March.

Spartans: Ash Lewis, Brad Dunn, Nick Rhodes, Aaron Fowke, Paddy Knight, Ryan Barnett, Tom Broady; Neil Farrell, Ethan Badham (c), Rich Groves, Lee Martin, Jordan Smith, Luke Foran, Elliott Mayer, Jordan Fowke. Reps: Terry Connors, Darren Keith, Ryan Gwilliams, Kirk Lewis, Craig Hoare, Phil Sutton, Josh Fowke.
Star man: Elliot Mayer