Nomads suffer a lost away

This was a particularly lack lustre performance by Stroud and were well beaten by a well organised and committed side. From the kick off Old Crypts took the game to the Nomads and were soon on the scoreboard when from a rolling maul their pack advanced some 40yards and scored a converted try.

The home side continued to win most scrummage ball and always looked dangerous with ball inhand especially the pack who continued to drive the Stroud pack at every opportunity. When the Nomads did get their hands on the ball wing Alex Powell and centre Brendan Wheeler made good ground but the support play was always slow in getting to the breakdown. A penalty kick by Old Crypts lengthened their lead and they continued to hold the upper hand throughout the first half. This lead was increased just before half time when another catch and drive by their forwards resulted in their second converted try.

With Nomads playing down the slope in the second half and a strong lecture from captain Chris Toon at halftime seemed to spark them into life and for the first 10minutes of the half Stroud were pressing inside the oppositions half, but poor retention of the ball by the Stroud players allowed Old Crypts to turnover ball and escape into the Nomads half. Nomads full back Aaron Raath always looked dangerous with the ball in hand, but once again when he was eventually tackled the support play was late in getting to him. Old Crypts continued to defend well and from one of their several incursions to the Nomads 22 they scored their third converted try from a short penalty kick. With injuries to wing Fred Stevenson and captain Chris Toon, it was nice to see veteran players Andre Sharp and Rob Davey enter the fray, with immediate result with Stroud at last putting several of phases of play together and from a catch and drive from a catch and drive from a lineout prop Tom Allen wriggled over for a try converted by fly half Cory Baker.

A disappointing game for Nomads in every aspect Man of the match stand-in scrum half Joe Little who did exceptionally well behind a beaten pack.

Next match 6th February 2016 v Tewkesbury 2nd XV (a)