STROUD END SEASON ON HIGH NOTE
By ROBIN COOKE.

WIDDEN OLD BOYS 8 STROUD 24

Stroud ended the season in good form on Saturday with an excellent win at Widden Old Boys.  The gloss was taken off the win a little with the news that Old Redcliffians had lost to Bristol Harlequins, thus denying Stroud the play-off spot on points difference.

Stroud began the match with a fierce commitment that had been seemingly lacking at vital times during the season.  It was no surprise when they took the lead after 15mins when, after winning a five metre lineout, skipper Adam Tarplee was driven over by the rest of the pack for an unconverted try.

After Josh Lister had replaced a dazed Rich Williams, Stroud went further ahead when a Widden passing movement broke down in thei own half. The ball was knocked on and gathered by “H” Pullen who crossed under the posts for a well taken opportunist try.  Seb Dix kicked the conversion for a 12-0 lead.

The forward exchanges were becoming feistier and the Devon referee had to have words with both captains on several occasions.  After 25minutes Widden cut the deficit with a penalty and proceeded to enjoy their best spell of the game.
However, poor handling and dropped passes with the greasy ball did not aid their cause, but, with Rob Matts despatched to the sin bin just before half time, Widden took advantage. A flowing move stretched the Stroud defence and the speedy right winger crossed wide out for an interval score of 12-8.

With the pitch becoming greasier, the first score of the second period was going to be vital and it was Stroud that secured it after 47minutes. Widden let the ball go loose on their own line and Rob Matts reacted quicker to gain the touchdown.

The conversion was missed but this gave Stroud the lift they needed and they penned Widden in their own half for the long periods.  When Widden did break out, all the backs tackled well with Josh Lister excelling and James Muir’s raking touch kicks ensured that a now dominant Stroud pack kept going forwards.

Just after the hour mark, Stroud sealed the game when the ball ran loose at the back of the Widden scrum and scrum half John Wand pounced for a try that was superbly converted from the touch line by Seb Dix.

Stroud saw out the remainder of the game with a mixture of superb defence and dangerous counter attacking to finish deserving winners in what was a fiercely contested game.

At the end of a season that at times promised so much, Stroud were left to reflect on games where results might have been better than they were but also on a final performance that promised much for next season.