Having not played for a few weeks it wouldn’t have been unexpected if the lads would have started slowly but it wasn’t to be, straight from the kick off we collect the ball, Lids makes a barnstorming run offloads to Dylan accepts the return pass, scores under the posts. A minute gone 7 nil up. Now for the next 15 minutes we can’t get our hands on the ball, Penalty, Penalty and Penalty that tormentor of Anselmians Rugby were superb for the Opposition. Present a decent Spartans team with the opportunity often enough and they’ll greatfully accept any chance to score. 7 - 7, 15 minutes gone and we’ve had the ball in hand once.

Two tries from us in the next two minutes proves what we can do when we use the ball, the first from Ben after a little bit of pressure, the next after a snipe down the blindside from Harry, an offload to Tom R who side stepped everyone including the crowd and then to everyone’s surprise actually passed to Browny to score. Two more conversions from Ben and it looks rosy 21 - 7. Lack of ball, that man Penalty, sleep deprivation, a sin binning and half time we are 28 - 17 up but have conceded 10 penalties and benefitted from one. We are naive to say the least, we don’t play the referee, I was happy that only one penalty was for dissent.

Half time chat, cut down the penalties and we’ll be fine. Two good sides contested a great second half, no quarter asked, non given, both sides played some decent rugby, big tackles, good running rugby. The Ducks began to quack and benefitted with Captain Kris finishing two tries. Final score 40 - 17.

Yesterday saw the return of two of my old charges, Loz Stansfield played having been at Birkenhead and more recently Broughton Park and Olly Green playing his first game in eight years, a little short of match fitness but showed why he was always one of the first names on my team sheet in years gone by.

Village Spartans are now out of the relegation zone and if they can keep playing as they did yesterday should certainly win enough of their remaining games to avoid the drop, I certainly hope so, great opposition who play the game in the right spirit.

Duck of the Day went Evo, leading from the front, not the biggest talker but his teammates listen when he does make a comment, Evo does what Evo does best. Diffy Duck went to Browny, the only man alive who gets side stepped by the ball not once but twice in 10 seconds, pity it wasn’t videoed, Jeremy Beadle would have paid for that one, Ben Evans came up from the Mavs equipped himself well but committed sacrilege, Ben where is our team mascot??????????

There is a reward for the return of said mascot and any sightings will be followed up, contact Ben on 07722 189509.

Mother Duck.