The opening match of the season was a very competitive game with the Nomads fielding a blend of youth and experience against a 3rd XV of a National League side three tiers above Stroud. The early exchanges were pretty even with the Nomads nudging ahead with penalty goal from Will Clapham. After Old Pats missed a relatively simple penalty attempt to draw even, the Nomads pulled clear with two very fine individual first half tries.

The first try came through Tom Flanagan who took full advantage of space created out wide after quick recycled ball, and slick handling to round the Old Pats cover defence, and the second, a converted try from centre Lex Brooks, who pounced on a pass that was fumbled by the Old Pats centres and outpaced the chasing Old Pats defence from half way to score under the posts, standoff Will Clapham slotting the extra two points from the conversion.

It looked like the floodgates were about to open, but half time allowed Old Pats to regroup and surged back from the kick off with two well worked tries. However, Will Clapham steadied the Stroud nerves with a sensible decision to take the three points on offer when Old Pats transgressed at a ruck when Stroud were camped on their line.

A good start to the season with Matt Peachman awarded man of the match with his excellent all round play both in the loose and at the line outs.

The Nomad’s next match is away to Gordon League on Saturday 21st September..