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STROUD IN CONTROL STROUD 20 CHOSEN HILL F.P. 10 Stroud produced a solid performance to defeat Chosen Hill on Saturday. They gathered most of their points in the first half before clinching the game with their final score early in the last quarter. Stroud started as if they meant business but conceded needless penalties which put them on the back foot. However, after 10 minutes, they produced their first concerted attack when Lyle Robertson gathered a Hill kick ahead and made good ground before the ball was recycled and Matt Fogarty side stepped two defenders before crossing for an excellent solo try. James Muir kicked the conversion for 7-0. Chosen Hill got on the score board after 20 minutes when a Stroud misdemeanour gave Andy King the chance to kick the penalty for 7-3. Stroud then had their most productive spell of the game. Muir kicked a penalty on 27 minutes for hands in the ruck and, five minutes later, a good break by skipper John Wand sent Alex Pilbeam in for an unconverted try. In first half injury time, Rupert Wakefield, who had been having a magnificent all round game, incurred referee Dino Madden’s displeasure and was sent to the sin bin but Stroud held out for a 15-3 half time lead. With Wakefield back on the field, ten minutes later, Josh Lister replaced Ian Bushell. However, Stroud continued to create the better openings but sound defence by Hill kept them at bay. When Hill got chance to attack, Stroud’s defence tackled heroically with Wakefield always to the fore. The clinching score came on 66minutes when good handling by the backs released Adam Tarplee to score an unconverted try. John Allen replaced Rob Davey for his first game of the season and Rob Bashford returned in place of Andy Jarrett but, although Hill were enjoying their best spell of the game, Stroud’s defence held firm until injury time when a good passing movement put Ben Bosley in for a try. King converted with the final kick of the game but Stroud were worthy winners at 20-10. Next Saturday, Stroud are away to Keynsham kick off 2.30pm. STROUD:- M. FOGARTY, L. ROBERTSON, I. BUSHELL (rep. J. LISTER), D. GORDON, A. PILBEAM, J. MUIR, J. WAND(capt.), B. BRINKWORTH, R. WAKEFIELD, A. JARRETT (rep. R. BASHFORD) , R. DAVEY (rep. J.ALLEN), R. HIGGINS, R. MATTS, A. TARPLEE, J. MARTIN. |