Stroud Nomads 15 - 10 Cheltenham North

Stroud turned over quick ball and their three-quarters giving wing Alex Powell an early opportunity to go past his opposite number, when he was tackled a good off load to standoff half Peter Sykes enabled him to score in the corner.

Both sides continued to play open rugby with North coming more into the game through their big forwards, who after a driving maul scored their first unconverted try.

Further pressure by North was repelled by a determined Nomads defence and on several occasions the Stroud forwards came away with the ball giving their three-quarters further chances to show their speed and skills.

Cheltenham continued to force the pace and were rewarded with another unconverted try after a close range drive by their forwards.

Play continued to be end to end with Stroud showing plenty of grit and determination and after several good drives by the forwards a penalty award for offside enabled fly half Peter Sykes to kick a long range penalty.

The Nomads continued to hold the ascendancy and with some five minutes to go to half time scrum half Jordan Phipps came away from a maul on halfway and beat several North defenders to score at the posts, converted by Peter Sykes.

The second half was equally as good as the first, without however, another point being scored.

Both teams had try scoring opportunities, especially North, when in the last 15 minutes of the game Stroud were reduced to 13 players following sin bins for offside offences. The Nomads however continued to thwart the Cheltenham attacks and greeted the final whistle with some jubilation.

A fine all round performance by Nomads especially in defence with the tackling count being outstanding.

Next week 18th January 2014 - Game to be arranged.