Stroud Under 8s rugby
Stroud 25 Minchinhampton 15
Stroud under 8s welcomed Minchinhampton to Fromehall Park on Sunday 11th November. After observing a two minute silence the teams began their first match of the day under a welcome blue sky.
Sam Hanahoe opened the scoring after some great support play from the whole team. Good tagging from Toby Fielder and Harry McNeil opened the field for Matthew Cullimore who scored after weaving his way down the whole length of the pitch. Minchinhampton scored in the dying seconds of the first half. Dogged work on Minchinhampton's side gave them the first score of the second half. Harry Lightfoot replied with his normal whippet like run which took him over the try line. Harry Lightfoot scored his second of the match from a turn-over ball. Paddy Shipton's pass allowed Tyler through to score. Good defensive play and a solid line denied a determined Minchinhampton side a win in this match.
Stroud 35 Minchinhampton 30
Minchinhampton started strongly in an entertaining second game with a try. Harry Ireland, however, brought Stroud straight back into the game with his first try of the day. Despite good tagging by Ethan Seville, Spencer Hill and Matthew Cullimore, Minchinhampton scored again. Chris Lusty, after a storming run, brought the scores level. A turn-over ball which passed quickly from Angus McDowall to Sam Stevenson to Spencer Hill set up Harry Ireland for his second try, closely followed by his hat-trick on the stroke of half time for Stroud to take the lead. The second half proved to be a closely fought, nail-biting affair. Harry Lightfoot took advantage of an off side decision to score. A penalty try to Stroud for obstruction was given just before half time. Minchinhampton scored from the whistle. A great run from Sam Stevenson gave a committed Stroud their winning try.
Stroud 30 Minchinhampton 15
Excellent tagging from an ever improving Stroud began the third game. Minchinhampton squeezed a try despite Stroud's valiant defence. Harry McNeil, supported well by Sam Stevenson, opened the scoring for Stroud after inspired support play from Paddy Shipton, Sam Hanahoe and Matthew Cullimore. Sam Hanahoe followed this up, scoring after a run from the half way line. This first half proved to be close and evenly matched. Harry McNeil scored a well worked try, covering three quarters of the pitch to do so. Toby Fielder scored a fabulous try to nudge Stroud into the lead. Harry Lightfoot's blazing run ended in another try, closely followed by Matthew Cullimore's. Toby's crucial and relentless tagging set up Tyler for a great run and try which was disallowed due to an enthusiastic dive over the line.
Stroud 30 Minchinhampton 35
A tired Stroud team refused to give up in this close encounter. Fantastic play from Sam H and Matt C. Harry Ireland, running the width of the pitch to score in the corner levelled the scores in the opening minutes. Angus McDowall, not content with fabulous tagging, scored an important try. Harry McNeil and Ethan Seville provided the support needed for Harry Ireland's try. Chris Lusty scored immediately from the whistle in this end to end game. Tyler replaced an injured Harry I aiding both Chris Lusty and Paddy Shipton to one try each. Stroud's brave efforts were just not enough in this fourth and final match and they were just beaten by a resolute Minchinhampton side.
Player of the week Chris Lusty.