Stroud travelled to Ledbury on Sunday.  They began the match looking nervous and conceded their first try to Ledbury within the first 7 minutes.  Despite a more decisive move after the restart by Sam Halliday Ledbury were soon back to the Stroud 22 and an impressive display of power from the Ledbury forwards gave them a second try.  Some hard play form Blue Lynes provided Stroud with a lineout within the Ledbury half and some good attacking play from the visitors but Ledbury's dominance in the scrum saw the attack falter.  Full back Harry Phillips seized the opportunity to take the game back into Ledbury's half  at full speed before being taken down in a crunching tackle.  Ledbury countered with a break culminating in a scrum just beneath the Stroud posts leading to another try.  Having discovered  Stoud's weaknesses in defence Ledbury capitalised by scoring three times before the half time whistle.

Coach Phil Paine's half time pep talk obviously did the trick for Stroud came out looking much more confident and assertive.  The first scrum of the second half was won by Stroud and through some strong running by Ben Andrews and captain Ollie Paine's boot saw the game back to Ledbury's 22.  A prolonged spell of Stroud aggression failed to deliver the try until a drop goal from Paine put them on the board and lifted the boys spirits.  Stroud kept up the pressure on Ledbury and dominated the second half with Jonny Jones retrieving lost ball from the lineout and keeping the game in Ledbury's half.  Jack Gardner made some impressive tackles and Stroud really deserved a try.  Both Phillips and Laurence Coates again made runs before being brought down before securing the try.  It fell to Andrews to make the decisive break and off load to Jack Winchle to score. 

With minutes to go before the final whistle Stroud found themselves scrambling back in defence stubbornly refusing to allow Ledbury back into the game.  A lapse in concentration at the final scrum saw Ledbury steal the ball and score once more.

This was a good game for Stroud which belied the score line.  The boys second half performance showed determination and a growing confidence and team spirit.

Special mention should be made to Jonny Jones, Blue Lynes and Jack Gardner. 

Man of the match - Ben Andrews.