ESSEX Spartans American football team tasted defeat for the first time this season, when they were beaten by the Watford Cheetahs 16-9.

The Billericay-based Spartans, who have been in dominant form this season, struggled to make any impact in the match and, with Watford able to capitalise on a number of Essex mistakes, first place in the Division slipped from their grasp.

In a tight contest between two evenly-matched teams, it was the Spartans who drew first blood.

Quarter-back James Woodward passed to Jon Tottman, who showed great acceleration to break away for a long score which gave Essex a 6-0 lead.

The Cheetahs scored their first points with a field goal in the second quarter and later on were able to return a Spartans fumble for a touchdown.

With a successful conversion, the home team lead 10-6 at half-time.

With both sides struggling in the heat, the Spartans found themselves further behind with another Cheetahs field-goal extending their lead to 13-6 in the third quarter.

As the final quarter began, the Spartans had their backs to the wall.

The teams then traded turnovers but defensive captain Ally Minto gave the Essex team hope with an interception to kill a Watford drive. However, the Spartans were unable to capitalise.

And as the clock ran down, the Cheetahs scored the game’s final points with a touchdown to leave with the victory 19-6, much to the frustration of Spartans’ head coach Marc Saunders.

“This loss was obviously disappointing for the entire Spartan family,” said Saunders.

“However, we must now re-focus on our remaining games in order to correct the mistakes we made this weekend.”

The Spartans now have time to lick their wounds before welcoming the Maidstone Pumas to Hannakins Farm on Sunday 10 July, kick off 2.30pm.