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Stroud/Dursley Under 17s triumph in County Plate Final

Stroud/Dursley Under 17s triumph in County Plate Final

Trevor Hodges5 May 2014 - 07:57
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Stroud triumphed over National 1 Cinderford's U17 side in close encounter to win the county plate final.

In what proved to be the last ever game played as a joint side, a successful penalty conversion from fly-half Ollie Greensweig in the second half proved the difference between the sides writes Antony Greensweig.

Stroud/Dursley had played Cinderford on three separate occasions in the season, having secured a win each and a draw so this was always likely to be a tight affair.

Cinderford started the stronger, holding field possession for much of the first half. Some strong defence from the Stroud/Dursley pack ensured that the line was not breached, with some great spoiling play from Alex Watson and Jack Taylor, but when second row Joe Newnes was yellow carded, following persistent infringements by the team, Cinderford managed to score in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful.

Stroud/Dursley came straight back, though, and whilst still down a man the ball was spread out, following good forward play, Joe Ashenford fed Greensweig who was just able to score.

Cinderford scored another try, before the best move of the match from Stroud/Dursley. Will Flight threw in at a line out and Tom Pitts secured the ball 5 metres out from the line, scrum half Ashenford made the ball available to the backs, who called a pre-planned move seeing centres Rhys Willament and captain Aaron Raath executing a fantastic scissors for Raath
to dot down. Greensweig missed the extras, meaning the score was 10 all at half time.

The second half started strongly for Stroud/Dursley, an excellent kick off was gathered by Leigh Lord, and as the ball was moved into the Cinderford twenty two, Greensweig was hit with a high tackle. He got up to slot the resulting penalty. Cinderford, though, were not deterred and won a penalty themselves following some indiscipline at the breakdown. With the score level again at 13 all Stroud/Dursley continued to play their rugby. More strong breaks by Willament and Raath as well as some great forward play from the whole pack, meant the ball rarely left the Cinderford half.

Cinderford came up offside in their own twenty two, leaving Greensweig with a simple kick to regain the lead.

With time running out Stroud/Dursley continued to press, keeping the ball out of their own half and not allowing Cinderford any time or possession. A great run from replacement Will Sealey as well as strong play from Harry Collins and Jacob Seal could also have resulted in scoring opportunities.

The final whistle signalled celebrations on the pitch, the team knew they had been in a game but they were the ones collecting the plate shield.

Photo: Back Row: Will Sealey, Alex Watson, Rhys Willament, Lewis Lamb, Leigh Lord, Tom Pitts, Jack Taylor, Jow Newnes
Front Row: James Cook, George Voss, Harry Collins, Tom Williams, Ollie Greensweig, Aaron Raath (capt) Will Flight, Jacob Seal, Joe Ashenford

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