Excellent start to the season with a win away for the Spartans boys against Aldwinians 3. Final score was 49-5. Scorers were:

Cartledge x 3
Ellis x 1
Gammon x 2
Stone x 1

Smith x 3 conversions
Bee K x 4 conversions

Amazing win for the Spartans against top of the table Manchester 3XV.

Try scorers:

Chucky x 3
Harry x 2
Dean x 1
Noodles x 1

5 conversions kicked by Smithy and Karlos

Final score: 45-26

Player MoTM Chucky
Supporters MoTM Noodles

Another good performance and result, with Spartans players turning out on both sides so the game could go ahead. It left the club top of the division going into a first against second meeting with Carrington.

Carrington came to Sale at the end of September for the game between the division's top two, and it was 7–7 at the break. Carrington took it 24–17 and went on to win Division 4 East.

Both Spartans sides were out that afternoon, the seconds away at Eccles 4s.

A hard fought win at a ground the club had rarely won at. Two tries up, then behind, the side did not panic and stuck to forwards, forwards, backs ball, and the scrum once again got on top of a bigger pack.

Heaton Moor could not raise a third team and conceded the fixture on the morning of the game. The club asked everyone who had turned up to go and watch the second team instead, who were playing Christleton 2s at 1pm, and that friendly became the only rugby played at Sale that afternoon.

A week later Heaton Moor were able to field a side for the cup tie against the Spartans second team, which the club noted at the time.

Dukinfield had one win all season and only seven third team players available, so their club filled the side with eight players from a first team that had no game. Dukinfield's first team played RFU level 8 rugby. The Spartans played at level 11, in a league outside the RFU pyramid.

The coach's note afterwards was matter of fact about it. Playing other clubs' second, third and fourth teams meant this happened, and it had happened before at North Manchester, at Ashton and at Aldwinians.

A win in difficult cold conditions that kept the side second in the division.

The squad turned up to face an Oldham side that was not their usual third team, dealt with cold and wet conditions and a reshuffled back line, and kept competing. For long periods the Spartans matched a club playing several levels above them.

A battling performance and a good result. The forwards laid the platform with good ball retention at the breakdown and the backs turned it into eight tries. Behind early in the second half, the side's fitness told in the last twenty minutes.

Two excellent games for the club on one day. A tight home win, and alongside it an intra club game where the newest players got stuck in, supported by the Second XV, and played it in exactly the right spirit.

By Neil Mason

In an entertaining game of rugby the Spartans worked hard and put in a good effort, though the plaudits went to a reinvigorated Ashton on Mersey, who won 24-14.

In September the Spartans played the AOM 2nd team and won convincingly 73-0, when AOM were struggling for players and the Spartans evened the teams up by lending them players. Since then AOM have restructured, combining a 1st team that had dropped out of an RFU league at level 8 with their 2nd team into one side now playing in North West Intermediate Division 4 East. With the Spartans home pitch waterlogged, both clubs agreed to play at Ashton on Mersey so that a game could go ahead.

AOM started the stronger and applied early pressure in the Spartans 22. Using their forwards and a close off loading game they broke the line and scored after 10 minutes. The conversion was missed, AOM led 5-0.

The Spartans came back, spending time in the AOM 22 and forcing penalties, and from a tap 10 metres out captain Dean B drove over. Smithy converted and the Spartans led 7-5. Both teams tested each other for the rest of the half without scoring again.

Half time: Village Spartans 7 - 5 Ashton on Mersey.

AOM kept the pressure on and scored early in the second half to lead 12-7. For the next 30 minutes the sides went toe to toe, neither gaining an advantage, until a break away down the right led by outside centre Carl H ended with inside centre Harry picking up a ball knocked backwards and running in under the posts. Smithy converted, 14-12 Spartans.

Almost immediately AOM hit back, creating an overlap on the left just outside the Spartans 22 and out flanking the defence to score. The conversion missed, 17-12 AOM.

The Spartans pressed on and the game opened up as both sides tired on the heavy pitch. The chances were there but the final execution was just missing, and from a fumbled Spartans ball AOM broke down the right to score in the corner with 8 minutes left, 22-12.

The Spartans threw everything at them in those last 8 minutes and the AOM defence held firm. The result did not go our way, but the players' effort and commitment cannot be faulted. A very competitive game where both teams gave everything. AOM deserved their win and we wish them well as they continue to rebuild.

Final score: Village Spartans 1sts 14 - 24 Ashton on Mersey 1sts.

Tries: Dean, Harry. Conversions: Smithy x 2.

Match day squad
Joe, Chucky, Pepa, Tony, Jeff, Robbie, Marc H, Josh, Jenko, Tom, Karlos, Dean (Capt), Smithy, Matt, Harry, Carl H, Chris H, Marlon, Andy Ry, James Mc.

By Neil Mason

In a battle between the Spartans in 2nd place and Littleborough in 3rd, the Spartans overcame a strong challenge to win 33-5 in a hard fought game.

It was a clash of two different styles and a good spectacle for the neutral: Littleborough with their big forwards, older, wise and charging around the field, against the more youthful, mobile, running Spartans.

Littleborough dominated the first 15 minutes with all the possession in the Spartans half, laying siege to the try line and sending wave after wave of forward attacks. The Spartans forwards worked very hard to keep them at bay, hoping to win some ball for the quick Spartans backs.

Eventually, against the run of play, centres Chris C and Harry had an opportunity in open play, broke up the middle with good passing and went through the defence, hooker Chucky supporting to finish the first try of the game. Smithy's conversion missed, 5-0.

The sides fought hard for the next 15 minutes and the second try came from the Spartans disrupting a Littleborough line out just outside their own 22. The loose ball was sent along the back line, where Chris worked in partnership with Harry to get within 5 metres, and the mobile, energetic Chucky got on the end of Harry's pass to score. Smithy landed a long conversion, 12-0.

Back came Littleborough, seeking a foothold, and there were fierce contests at the breakdown with both teams fully committed.

Half time: Village Spartans 12 - 0 Littleborough 3's.

The Spartans made a couple of changes at the break, continuing to rotate players to cope with the work rate demanded in defence against the Littleborough pack. Ten minutes into the second half inside centre Chris C put on a burst of speed on the half way line that left the defensive line in shreds, and he ran around the full back to score a fine individual try. Smithy converted, 19-0.

The Littleborough forwards were beginning to tire after their high work rate, and it showed when the Spartans stole possession at a scrum on their 5 metre line and drove them off the ball. Smithy passed the turnover to fly half Matt W, and inside centre Big Jon hit a good running line to crash over from short range. Smithy converted, 26-0.

Littleborough did not give up and got reward for their forward strategy, bundling the ball over in the left corner for their try. The conversion missed, 26-5.

The Spartans kept attacking and Harry, now at 10, put a delightful grubber kick through the oncoming defensive line on the 22 for Chris C, who ran on, kicked it further over the try line and dropped on it. Smithy converted.

Final score: Village Spartans 33 - 5 Littleborough 3's.

Tries: Chucky x 2, Chris C x 2, Jon W. Conversions: Smithy x 4.
Man of the match: Chucky. Supporters' man of the match: Chris C.

Match day squad
Joe, Chucky, Pepa, Tony, Robbie, Jeff, Brett, Jenko, Marc H, Tom, Dean, Smithy, Matt, Chris C, Harry, Jon, Carl H, Chris H, Andy Ry, Neil G.

This was a tough game in which the Spartans kept their cool. Thank you to Littleborough for a very competitive afternoon. They remain in contention at the top of the division in 4th with only three losses this season, two of them to the Spartans.

The Spartans stay 2nd with 10 wins and 4 losses as they chase the second half of the season's objective, a top four finish.

By Neil Mason

Both teams had to overcome difficult wintry conditions, with the Spartans going on to dominate the second half and win 66-0.

The Spartans were looking for a win of any size to keep their recent form going and hold 2nd place in the division. Heaton Moor started brightly and the early exchanges were equal. The Spartans then scored twice, after 5 and 20 minutes, through full back Chris C and captain Dean B, both finishing flowing attacking moves with the ball kept alive through support players. Smithy converted both, 14-0 after 20 minutes.

The Spartans then spent the rest of the first half defending in their 22 as Heaton Moor pressurised the try line, and were reduced to 14 men on two separate occasions. Against the run of play they broke out and captain Dean B was again in support to run wide and outflank the defence. Smithy converted and the Spartans went in 21-0 up, having held out with a committed defensive effort.

Half time: Village Spartans 21 - 0 Heaton Moor 3rds.

In the second half the Spartans had the wind behind them, and it proved crucial as the weather deteriorated with long periods of driving hail straight into the faces of the Heaton Moor players. The conditions made it very difficult for them to get out of their own half and relieve the pressure, though to their credit they kept trying.

The Spartans hit a purple patch for 25 minutes as their expansive, running, supporting game opened the defence up, and seven tries came in quick time alongside the hail. Chris C, Harry twice, Noodles, Carl H, Chucky and captain Dean B, for his hat trick, all scored. Every one came through the open style the Spartans can play when things go their way. It was good rugby to watch. Smithy added five more conversions.

Final score: Village Spartans 1sts 66 - 0 Heaton Moor 3rds.

Thank you to Heaton Moor for a competitive game. The scoreline does not do justice to their effort and spirit, and they had the worst of the weather into their faces.

Tries (10): Dean x 3, Harry x 2, Chris C x 2, Noodles, Carl H, Chucky.
Conversions (8): Smithy.
Man of the match: Chucky.

Match day squad
Joe, Chucky, Pepa, Soggy, Robbie, Noodles, Dean (Capt), Karlos, Jenko, Marc H, Smithy, Matt, Chris H, Big Jon, Harry, Chris C, Andy Ry, James Mc.

The win keeps the Spartans 2nd in the division, though Littleborough 3's have games in hand and only three losses. The aim for the second half of the season is a top four finish after promotion last year.

A good win that kept the side second with ten games to go. Forwards and backs alike ran the ball back and straightened before passing, which fixed the defence and created chances out wide. The scrum and the line out were solid.

The club had two games in the diary at Sale that day and moved both kick offs forward so everyone could watch England play Wales at 4pm. The Birmingham Bulls came for the second team at 12.45pm and Marple 3s were due at 2.30pm.

The league recorded the first team fixture as a home walkover and no score was ever posted.

The rearranged trip to the league leaders, called off in January when both pitches froze, and the closest the Spartans came to them all season. Carrington won 20–19 with the outcome open until the final whistle, the Spartans pushing for a winning score through the last quarter.

The coach's feedback afterwards allowed that a couple of key moments had gone Carrington's way, that the conditions did not suit the Spartans' running game, and that being in a top of the table match at Easter was more than anyone had expected in September. Carrington took the division.

By Neil Mason

The magnificent seventeen tough it out at Manchester 3's for a 33-24 away win to maintain their promotion challenge.

Manchester RUFC away is always a tough fixture, so it was by no means certain that the Spartans were guaranteed a win using the division standings, where the Spartans were 6 places higher than Manchester. With overnight and morning rain the pitch was wet and heavy underfoot, but the afternoon kick off brought improving weather and the pitch was just playable.

The Spartans playing resources were stretched thin, with only 17 players in the 1st team squad. Several 1st team players were unavailable and the 2's were playing at the same venue against Manchester 4's, so we needed to make sure the 2's had a viable squad too. No call ups from the 2's except for 2nd row Josh.

The Spartans started well and were up 7-0 after 3 minutes as centre Harry hit a gap and broke the defensive line just outside the Manchester 10 metre and ran in under the posts, evading the cover defence. Smithy converted. The only set back was that the experienced number 10 Matt W picked up an abdominal muscle tear and had to leave the game after 10 minutes. Harry took over at fly half and Karlos moved to full back.

It got better 15 minutes in as Harry again caused havoc along the right wing channel, making good ground before off loading to hooker Chucky in support, who cut his way through to score under the posts. Smithy converted and the Spartans led 14-0.

Manchester then exerted a lot of pressure over the next 20 minutes and came right back into the game with two tries. First their centre side stepped three tackles to score under the posts, converted, to cut it to 7-14. Then they drew the Spartans into successive rucks on the left before passing right into the overlap to score in the corner. The conversion was missed and the lead was down to two points, 14-12.

The Spartans next try came from quick thinking by inside centre Chris Cart, who took a tap penalty on the 22 and broke left, working past two defenders to dive in at the corner on the stroke of half time. Smithy landed a fine conversion from the touch line.

Half time: Manchester 12 - 21 Spartans.

The start of the second half was an even contest, both sides making chances they could not finish. Then another piece of individual skill opened Manchester up. From a turnover at the scrum the ball came through the Spartans backs and on the Manchester 10 metre Chris Cart kicked ahead through the defensive line, using the slight slope, chased his own kick, nudged it on again and dropped on the ball for a superb individual score. Smithy converted, 28-12.

Back came Manchester, laying siege to the try line and eventually driving over from close range, converted, 28-19. The Spartans kept cool and went back to their attacking organisation. Hooker Chucky ran the ball back inside, broke through and set off down the left. Flanker Ben P called for it in support and sprinted 30 metres for his first try for the Spartans, keenly acknowledged by his team mates. The conversion missed, 33-19.

There was no let up, as Manchester are an excellent rugby team, and they used their experienced forwards to pressure the try line and drove over again. The conversion was missed and the Spartans held on for the last 5 minutes.

Final score: Manchester 24 - 33 Spartans.

Tries: Harry, Chucky, Ben P and 2 for Chris Cart.
Conversions: Smithy x 4.

Match day squad
Forwards: Joe, Chucky, Pepa, Robbie, Brett, Ben, Karlos, Jenko, Josh, Dean (Capt).
Backs: Smithy, Matt, Harry, Chris Cart, Carl H, Neil G, Marlon.

Thank you to Manchester RUFC for the tough examination on the pitch and for being good hosts off it. The game was played in the right spirit by both sides and with a good quality referee, one of the best we have seen this season.

The win keeps the Spartans in 2nd place with 5 games left. Next week's home game against Heaton Moor 2's, who are 3rd, is a big one for both teams, currently divided by a single point.

The Village Spartans, more than rugby.

An excellent performance against a good Heaton Moor side that had not lost in its previous ten games.

Behind at half time, the side battled its way back to win. Four Spartans turned out for North Manchester so that the game could be played, and none of them looked out of place.

By Neil Mason

The Spartans book their place in Division 3 next season after holding off the challenge of Aldwinians to win 33-17.

Before the game the Spartans knew that 5 more league points would secure promotion. With two games left they needed at least one win to reach 70 points, which would let them tie with Littleborough 3's, currently 3rd, and finish 2nd on the head to head, having won both games against them.

With a lot of home support on the touch line the Spartans got off to the best possible start. From the kick off Aldwinians failed to secure the ball in their 22, flanker Matt R, Noodles, dropped on it and passed off the ground to Harry E in support, who powered over from the 10 metre. Smithy converted, 7-0 after one minute.

The next came 10 minutes in as outside centre Chris C broke the line on the Spartans 10 metre and sprinted 40 metres clear of the cover. Smithy converted, 14-0.

Aldwinians were not prepared to give up and controlled the next 10 minutes with possession and territory. Eventually the Spartans defence cracked and they found a gap to score. The conversion missed, 14-5. Both sides had chances before the break, and the Spartans lost Harry to injury, Chris C moving to 10 and Brad coming into the centres.

Half time: Village Spartans 14 - 5 Aldwinians.

Aldwinians got back into it early in the second half, attacking infield from a line out in the Spartans 22 and scoring under the posts. Converted, the lead was two points, 14-12. The pressure was building. Chances came and went at both ends, and the scrums went uncontested after Aldwinians lost a front row player.

The Spartans then applied pressure in the Aldwinians 22 and after a number of phases the defence was condensed, allowing captain and flanker Dean to run wide and off load to winger Carl H, who came around and in under the posts. Smithy converted, 21-12.

At an uncontested scrum on their own 22 Chris C took the ball at fly half and attacked. His pace, quick feet and strength through the first tackle have been difficult for most teams in the league to shackle. He broke the line with 60 metres to go and weaved through the cover to score. Smithy converted, 28-12.

The Spartans then increased the lead as prop Poni, back in the 1st team, powered over from a quick tap on the 5 metre to the delight of players and supporters. The conversion missed, 33-12 with two minutes left. Aldwinians finished with a flourish, their tall flanker weaving across the pitch and knocking off two tackles to score with the last play.

Final score: Village Spartans 33 - 17 Aldwinians.

Players and supporters celebrated a win that set up back to back promotions and a place in Division 3, the highest level the club has played at in its ten years in the North West Intermediate league structure. The 2nd team will enter the league structure next season in Division 5, and with the 3rd team formed this season there is a place for new players to start playing with the Spartans.

Tries: Harry, Carl, Poni, Chris C x 2. Conversions: Smithy x 4.

Match day squad
Forwards: Robbie, Pepa, Chucky, Poni, Jenko, Jeff Ed, Marc H, Josh, Ben P, Tom S, Noodles, Dean (Capt).
Backs: Smithy, Harry, Big Jon, Carl H, Chris H, Brad, Karlos, Marlon, Chris Cart.

Thank you to Aldwinians for a very competitive game, for the spirit they played it in, and for their congratulations afterwards. True sportsmanship. Congratulations to Carrington 1's, who have won the division and have been the outstanding team in it all season.

The Village Spartans, more than rugby.

A fixture postponed on 5th March for a waterlogged pitch and rearranged for a Wednesday evening, the second of three home games in seven days at the end of a season disrupted across the whole division by the weather. Dukinfield won 48–7.

Promotion had already been secured. The third of those three games, at home to Hope Valley on 30th April, was never played, because Hope Valley withdrew from the league, and the club turned the afternoon into an Old Boys reunion instead.

The eighth Bingham Cup, played in Nashville from 27 to 29 May 2016 and hosted by the Nashville Grizzlies.

The Spartans opened on the Friday morning against the Brisbane Hustlers, who had travelled further than anyone and arrived in form. Kick off was 10:45 in Nashville, 16:45 at home, and the club posted from the touchline for the supporters following it from Manchester.

The Hustlers were the stronger side, and the Spartans carried the lesson into the rest of the week.

The second of the Friday pool games, kicking off at 14:30 in Nashville, 20:30 at home.

The Spartans and the Washington Renegades go back a long way. The two clubs met in the first international sevens between gay teams in London in July 2000, and the Renegades were among the first visitors to Manchester the following year, so a meeting in Nashville had a history behind it.

The score from this one was never recorded.

The Saturday morning pool game, kicking off at 09:30 in Nashville, 15:30 at home.

The club came off the field encouraged. It called it a hard fought game, with the side starting to find its groove and with the scrums, the rucking and the lineout all improving on the day before.

The result moved the Spartans into the Hoagland Cup, the tournament's second tier, and into a competition they could win.

The Spartans' first game in the Hoagland Cup, on the Saturday evening, against the ARC Amsterdam Lowlanders, good friends and long standing rivals.

This is the club's win of the 2016 Bingham Cup, and it carried the side into the knockout stages for the final day.

The kick off, the club noted, was decided by whole body rock, paper, scissors.

The knockout game on finals day, kicking off at 09:20 in Nashville, 15:20 at home, with a place in the Hoagland Cup semi-finals at stake.

The Chicago Dragons were the better side in thirty degree heat and high humidity that the club found hard going, and the Spartans' tournament ended there.

The squad stayed on for the closing weekend and came home with the tournament's message, and a good deal of Nashville, intact.

Back in league action after two weekends off, the Spartans ran in nine tries at Sale. Chris Cartledge scored two, with Karl Bee, Harry Ellis, Chris Heaton, Andy Ryland, Dean Bee, Simon Gammon and Carl Helps one each, and Karl Bee kicking five conversions. The forwards took control of the scrum and the backs ran the tries out wide. The win kept the Spartans second in Division 4 East.

Kick off was moved to 2.15pm so that everyone could be back in the clubhouse for the Rugby World Cup semi final at 4pm. Ashton enforced the five nominated substitutes rule, which left four Spartans who had turned up to play watching from the touchline instead.

Ashton-under-Lyne dropped out of the division later in the season and the league wiped their results, so this win is not in the official record.

A wet and windy afternoon at Ashton-under-Lyne, and a 43-10 win that put the Spartans top of Division 4 East for the first time that season.

Six first team forwards were unavailable, so the club used the exceptional circumstances rule for the front row and brought Conor in as a guest prop. There was no second team game that day, and a car load of supporters travelled over from the city centre.

Ashton-under-Lyne dropped out of the division later in the season and the league wiped their results, so this win is not in the official record.

The longest journey of the league season, over the tops to Castleton, and the Spartans were 38-0 up by half time. Chris Cartledge scored five, with one each for Brett, Simon Gammon and Andy Smith, seven conversions and a penalty. It finished 57-7.

Hope Valley could raise only ten or twelve players, so the Spartans took an enlarged squad and lent them seven. James Mc, Charlie, Rob C, Tom G, Wiggy, Ross and Felix all played part of the game for the home side. The captain wrote afterwards that taking enough players for both teams to have a proper game was the best part of the day.

Hope Valley withdrew in April and the league wiped their results, so this win is not in the official record. The return at Sale on 30 April was never played, and the club turned that afternoon into its Old Boys reunion instead.

Cancelled the evening before. Sedgley Park could not raise a fifth team because their players were needed for the third and fourth teams. The first team still played Manchester 3s at 3pm.

Away, 3pm. Seven new players made their Spartans debut in a twenty three man squad. No score was posted.

A friendly at Sale Sports Club, 1pm, on Rugby World Cup weekend. Heaton Moor 3s conceded the first team's league game the same afternoon, so this was the only rugby played. No score was posted.

The Brooke Edgley Specialist Technical Services Shield, away at Heaton Moor 3s, 3pm. The second team played the tie in place of the first team, who were on a ten day rest, and it was only their third full contact fixture of a season in which they were aiming at fourteen games before entering the league structure in 2016-17. Heaton Moor led 39-0 at half time and the club praised the defence that came after it. No full time score was posted.

Away to another International Gay Rugby club, 2pm. A squad of twenty two travelled, some staying overnight in Birmingham. The first team had no game that weekend. No score was posted.

The longest trip of the season, away to another inclusive club, 2pm, while the first team played Oldham 3s. No score was posted.

An intra club game at Sale Sports Club at 12.15pm, two mixed squads of nineteen drawn from the second team and the club's new development players, put on to introduce them to contact rugby. Wiggy's Wonders won it 10-5.

The first team played North Manchester 2nds at 2.15pm the same afternoon. Fifty eight players were down to play across the two games, and the club called it the first time it had fielded three full teams in a day.

Called off. Both the Sale pitch and Carrington's were frozen, which also took out the first team's game at Carrington. Rearranged for the following Saturday.

The rearranged Bristol fixture, 12.15pm at Sale Sports Club. The Bisons came up with six to eight players, so the Spartans third team made up the rest of the opposition and Sarge refereed. The first team beat Littleborough 3s the same afternoon.

A friendly at Sale Sports Club, 12.30pm, taken at short notice for extra game time before the trip to the Kings Cross Steelers, and played by a mixed side of 2s and 3s. No score was posted.

At home, 2.15pm, with Sarge refereeing again, while the first team were away at Manchester 3s. No score was posted.

A friendly at Sale Sports Club, 3.15pm, played as the side looked towards entering the league structure the following season. The first team beat Oldham 3s earlier the same afternoon.

One of three commemorative fixtures in London for the Kings Cross Steelers' twentieth anniversary. A hundred and twenty players took the field across six teams and the Steelers won all three.

At home, 12.45pm, one of two fixtures the club hosted that afternoon, with the first team playing Marple 3s at 2.30pm so that both games were done before England played Wales at 4pm. No score was posted.

A friendly at Manchester RUFC, 3pm, against a side of their vets and new players. Both Spartans sides travelled that afternoon.

The Spartans took eighteen players to London on the 7.35am train for the third team's part in the Kings Cross Steelers' twentieth anniversary weekend. Six teams and a hundred and twenty players were involved across the three games, and the Steelers won all three. The third team lost 27–5.

It was the newest side in the club's first fixture away from Sale, and it came less than three months after the club had first put three teams out on the same day.

Ball retention in contact was better and the side strung several phases together with a clear attacking structure. The confidence and the competitiveness were up on the trip to London earlier in the year.