In front of a typical large and loud crowd, Spartans hosted Coney Hill in the Semi Final of the North Glos Combination Cup Senior Cup and came within a whisker of victory.

With 8 minutes remaining the Red Ants lead 11-5 however a converted try gave the visitors a one point lead which they managed to hold onto despite huge pressure in the dying minutes.

It was very much a case of what might have been for Spartans, who should have been further ahead, saw some of the key decisions go against them and had a clear cut chance at the death to win the game.

Despite the score The Red Ants can be hugely proud of their efforts. They have not had a rest week since early February and in the past 24 days have played 7 fixtures but despite this they took the game to hill and both sets of supporters commented that on the whole the Red Ants were the better side.

That however is scant consolation. The players were clearly gutted to have lost, however every negative can be turned into a positive and the pain of this defeat will act as a great catalyst for the National Cup Semi Final on Saturday as Sparts host Old Whitgiftians from Surrey (2pm Kick Off), with the prize a trip to HQ.