Nomads win big

Stroud Nomads were grateful to Archway school for the use of their pitch on a very blustery Saturday afternoon. Playing up the slight slope and into the wind first half the Nomads were soon five points down after a succession of pick and drives from the Longlevens forwards.

This was a wake up call for the Nomads and a sturn chat behind the posts from captain Chris Toon rallied the troops, from the kick off good work from props Lee Marshall and Charlie Foote took play into the Longlevens twenty two, their scrum half tried to kick the ball long however Vern Wittaker was able to force the charge down, Regan Herbert was quickest to reacte, securing the ball and forcing his way over the line to equal the scores, with a gale force wind going across the pitch scrum half Joe Ashenford did well to add the conversion and take the lead for Nomads.

Longlevens continued their pick and drive game, however hard hitting tackling from Tom Flanagon and Josh Grundy thwarted many an attack and forced a turnover which was quickly recyled and center Cory Baker crashed over for the try, Ashenford adding the conversion. Next on the scoresheet was Maz Peer who relished the challenge of playing against his old club and gave a controlled display at standoff all afternoon. Longlevens had the final try of the half taking the score to 19-10.

Nomads were now gaining in confidence and adapting well to the difficult playing conditions. Harvey Mead was securing good line out ball and from a good catch and drive by the forwards big Callum got the first try of the half, converted by Ashenford. When Longlevens did get into the Nomads half they were soon pushed back by the strong running Alex Powell and Kiwi Brendan who showed excellent skills with ball in hand and from the boot. Matt Peachman and Joe Little both came off the bench and were instrumental in continuing the good team work, pressure on the Longlevens forwards resulted in them conceding a penalty, duly converted by Ashenford. Good work from Ryan Kibble resulted in a try for winger Ben Dodds who eluded several defenders to dive over in the corner, Ashenford judged the wind to perfection to add the conversion.

With a few minutes remaining and the game won veteran Andre Sharpe joined the field, whilst normally playing prop he showed he still had his winger skills, coming off his wing to receive the ball, and then with skills more akin to the dance floor weaved his way through the Longlevens defence for the touchdown under the posts, converted by Toon and followed by the final whistle.

This was an excellent all round team performance with good skills shown in both attack and defence, this momentum needs to be taken into next weeks challenge away at Coney Hill, a good attendance at training on Thursday will be the start.