Fly-half Marty Cummings slotted his fourth conversion of the game to clinch a thrilling 36-34 win for Spartans over Old Cryptians.

It took his points tally to 16 – he also scored a try and kicked a penalty – as his side secured their sixth win of the campaign in Counties 3 Gloucestershire North.

Aaron Fowke scored the late try that gave Cummings the chance to clinch the victory and Spartans chairman Neil Brinkworth said: “It was a good game, end-to-end. It was two well-matched sides at this level.

“Aaron has recently rejoined the club, he used his experience to be in the right place at the right time, he scored his try in the last couple of minutes.”

Spartans, who led 21-15 at half-time, had beaten Old Cryptians 33-25 in the reverse fixture back in October and Saturday’s success cements their position in ninth, one place and eight points ahead of Old Cryptians in the 12-team division.

Their other tries were scored by George Broughton (two) and Ethan Badham, and Brinkworth continued: “The best try was the first scored by Marty, it was a good team try, well created, Marty finished it off under the posts.”

Spartans are being coached this season by Gloucester back row Lewis Ludlow and Brinkworth added: “He’s been fantastic, the players really enjoy him being at the club.”

These are encouraging time for Spartans who have bounced back well after withdrawing from Counties 2 Gloucestershire North midway through the 2023/24 season because of a shortage of players.

They have regrouped and Brinkworth is upbeat about the future.

They were finished second in Counties 3 Gloucestershire North last season but a league restructure has meant the division is much tougher in 2025/26.

“We didn’t go into the season with any expectations,” said Brinkworth. “But we’re competing week in, week out. We’re slowly building.”

And next season will be a very big one for the club because it marks the start of their centenary celebrations.

“We’ve got a centenary dinner at the club on 18^th September, Scott Quinnell is the guest speaker,” added Brinkworth.