Not a bad shout tbf, defo don't have a proof of purchase mind you, but worth giving it a go
Think I've played against you and remember seeing your spartan bat (MC version) last season, Datchet 3's keeper? Sounded horrible, looked a size too small and thought to myself it was a stickered bat (but as you said you got it from GCCC). Didnt sound right to me.
Anyway, worth dropping a email to spartan or GCCC.
I understand its organic material and bound to break, but at the price spartan charge, I would have thought their bats would last more than 1 season