Nomads Mistakes Hands Game to Painswick

This local derby was played in excellent conditions with Painswick capitalising on the Nomads mistakes to secure the win.

Both sides attempted to play open rugby, but it was the handling and passing that let Stroud down, many opportunities being missed by sloppy play, especially by the threequarters.

Painswick open the scoring, when a Nomads attack broke down and from the ensuing ruck the ball was kicked ahead, the ball was collected by the Stroud defence, but a wayward pass was intecepted by the Painswick centre who scored at the posts, the conversion being successful. Stroud attacked from the kick off and good forward play resulted in captain Rob Davey bursting down field, when tackled passed to Phil Fruin who himself was tackled just short of the try line.

Maintaining there pressure Nomads drove over the try line with blindside wing forward Ben Pockett being credited with the try, conversion was missed. With the half coming to a close, stand off half Sam Leworthy made an excellent break, but support was not slow in getting to him and a good chance was missed.

The second half was equally tight with both sides having opportunities, until Painswick's threequarters opened up from within their own half and gave their winger a run to the line, it has to be said the tackling was not of the highest standard. This galvanised the Nomads and they spent several minutes of the Painswick try line without scoring. Painswick were then awarded a penalty and from the ensuing play a good passing movement gave their No 8 a free run to the line, the conversion being missed.

A game that could have been won, but once again the basic skills of passing and tackling were absent. When scoring opportunities arise Stroud must be more clinical in their finishing.

Next match Saturday 17th November 2012 v Old Centralians 2nd XV (a)