1

9

When news filtered across from the second pitch that the Eagles had won their match against Spartans 7 – 1, a few of the Lions thought they were in for an easy ride against their Gloucester neighbours.

The Spartans team, however, hadn’t read that script and weren’t going to make things easy for the home team.

The early exchanges were messy with most of the Lions gathered around the ball like bees hovering around the proverbial honey pot and with Old Pats bunched together in the centre of the field, Spartans capitalised by using the subsequent space and running in a great try on the left.

The visitors had some big units on their roster and employed an effective pick and go approach through the middle to frustrate the running game of the Lions.

Finally, Old Pats rallied to simplify their game, nail the basics, secure the breakdown and earn the right to go wide and, coupled with a swarming defence, they equalised.

With their confidence flooding back, gaps started to appear, their running game kicked in and the tries started to come.

The final score was 9 – 1 but huge credit must be given to Spartans for never throwing in the towel and competing to the final whistle.

The season is up and running and the home crowd are just as amped as the U12 squad to see what challenges lie in wait in 2023 – 24!

Alex Webb-Peploe