SECOND AWAY WIN FOR STROUD
By ROBIN COOKE

BERRY HILL 10 STROUD 31.

Stroud travelled to Lakers Road on Saturday and came away with an excellent away win against injury ravaged Berry Hill.

Straight from the kick off Stroud were on the attack and it was no surprise when they took the lead after four minutes when good possession was recycled well to give Alex Pilbeam the space to score an unconverted try in the corner.

After 13 minutes, Stroud extended their lead after more good movement and passing, with Dan Gordon prominent, resulted in Josh Lister crossing by the posts for a try which he converted himself. Within two minutes, Stroud scored again when skipper John Wand, having his best game of the season so far, put in an intelligent kick towards the Berry Hill 22.  Lyle Robertson gave chase and, with the bounce landing in his favour, duly gathered to score under the posts for a try which Lister improved for a 19-0 lead.

After this enterprising opening, Stroud seemed to take their foot off the pedal and straight away conceded a penalty for coming in the side which Sargent kicked for Hill’s first points of the afternoon.

The rest of the half was fairly even but Hill were seeing more of the ball. However, they conceded several turn overs with Adam Tarplee tackling and scavenging superbly to keep the scoreline intact.

Berry Hill commenced the second half as though they meant business and, within five minutes, referee John Hackett had dismissed Stroud’s Rupert Wakefield to the sin bin.
From the resultant penalty, confusion reigned in Stroud’s ranks and a poor clearance attempt Allowed lock forward Richards to drop on the ball for a try converted by Sargent to bring the score to 10-19.

As Stroud battled to get their early momentum going again, Hill lost blind side flanker Brown to the sin bin but the penalty kick was missed. Ben Brinkworth replaced Rob Bashford and James Muir replaced Ian Bushell and, with Tarplee driving the pack forwards, Stroud set up camp in the Hill half.

Six minutes from time, Stroud’s nerves were soothed then good driving by the pack resulted in a try for Rob Higgins. The conversion hit the post but Stroud were comfortable at 24-10.

Just before full time, good play in midfield by Andy Jarrett and Jesse Owens released Wand to cross for a try which James Muir converted for a final score of 31-10.

Next Saturday, Stroud begin their EDF Energy Senior Vase campaign with an away game at Drybrook, kick off 2-30pm.

STROUD: M FOGERTY, L ROBERTSON, I BUSHELL (rep J MUIR), D GORDON, A PILBEAM, J LISTER, J WAND (Capt), R BASHFORD (rep B BRINKWORTH), R WAKEFIELD, A JARRETT, J OWENS, R DAVEY, R HIGGINS, A TARPLEE, J MARTIN.
STAR MAN: ADAM TARPLEE.

Match Pictures