Nomads Battle Hard but Fall Short in Final Quarter

Despite the unavailability of a handful of players and some late call-ups to the 1stXV, Stroud were still able to field a squad of 17. A pitch in remarkably good condition, dry but breezy conditions and two teams, who had played out a closely contested draw only a month ago, set a promising scene for an afternoon of entertaining rugby.
1 Chris Smith 2 Lee Marshall 3 Vegas 4 Nick Stringer 5 James Nash 6 Tom Waring 7 Tom Flanagan 8 Cory Baker 9 Callum Gibbs 10 Luke Dowemoore 11 Chad Williams 12 Neil Churchill 13 Chris Toon 14 Oscar Adamson 15 Lex Brookes Reps: Mark Samak Joe Little
With the breeze blowing strongly across the sloping pitch, Baker secured the kick-off and Stroud began some close in forward drives against the wind. Flanagan and Waring carried early on before Dowemoore looked to spread play to Churchill and Toon. The centres carried powerfully but were met with excellent defence. Newent always had the get out of the kick with the wind in the first half although the back three of Williams, Adamson and Brookes worked well together to retrieve and return play. With scrums uncontested, the lineout would prove to be crucial. Marshall was finding Waring at the front and set the platform for a number of cohesive forward drives – however the Newent defence remained resolute.
After 10 minutes, the game remained scoreless but good competition at the breakdown robbed Nash of the ball and allowed Newent to counter attack. Efficient handling allowed Newent to make significant ground up the right wing until they were stopped by a combination of Williams and Brookes. Good recycling and a number of forward carries tied in more defenders before Newent spread the ball left and exploited a gap in the Nomads defence when their centre streaked through to score. 5-0.
Nomads response was immediate with an excellent chase by Flanagan and Waring causing disruption in the Newent ranks. Loose ball was snapped by Waring before Gibbs fed Stringer to continue the momentum. The wall went wider but with the Newent defence pressing hard, Dowemoore found Waring back on the inside to break the defensive line. Quick ball allowed Gibbs and Dowemoore to feed Churchill, who carried strongly and offloaded to Toon. A stray Newent hand knocked the ball on and gave Nomads a scrum on the 22. Dowemoore fed Toon on a hard line and an excellent offload freed Brookes, whose well-timed pass allowed Williams to dive in at the corner for a well-worked try. 5-5.
Newent continued to kick for territory and looked to capitalise on any mistakes. Churchill put in some punishing tackles in the centre and was ably supported by Waring and Flanagan, who were putting in more than their share of tackles. An excellent kick from the Newent Fly-Half forced Nomads back into their own 22, where loose ball at the line-out was pounced upon and resulted in a score in the corner. 10-5.
20 minutes into the game and it was as tight as it had been a month ago. Vegas was replaced by Samak after suffering a head knock and the veteran was straight into the action scavenging a loose ball after another Flanagan chop tackle. Nomads looked to show patience and went through the phases with Smith, Baker and Samak all carrying positively. Gibbs spread play wider and quick hands from Toon and Brookes looked to free Adamson but he was dragged down by excellent scrambling defence. Nomads had the lion’s share of possession but Newent’s defence held firm. Nash hacked a loose ball on and chased well in combination with Baker but the final bounce eluded a blue shirt and allowed Newent to clear.
Waring was securing Marshall’s throw despite the troublesome wind and Nomads forward drive looked to push into the opposition 22 as the half drew to an end. Dowemoore hit Toon on another powerful line before Marshall and Samak continued the forward thrust with pick and drives, which took play into the shadow of the Newent posts. Churchill looked to crash through before Gibbs spread play however more combative defensive work kept the Newent line intact.
Half Time​Newent 2nd XV 10​Stroud Nomads 5
Newent made two changes at half time but Nomads were limited with only one replacement remaining. Despite this, Nomads made a hugely positive start to the second half with Williams coming in off his wing to carry well and setting the platform for Gibbs to feed Baker first and then Samak to make considerable inroads into the Newent defence. Creating quick ball, Nomads now went wider with Dowemoore hitting Churchill on an outside arc but unfortunately his offload did not quite go to hand allowing Newent to counter attack. Kicking ahead, they looked to be in behind the Nomads defence before brave covering work from Waring secured possession again. Nomads looked to attack from deep but continued to be met by a solid green wall. Newent forced a number of turnovers and looked to exploit them feeding their sizeable forward carriers. Waring, Flanagan and Churchill were at the forefront of the defensive effort and one chop tackle from Flanagan forced a loose ball that was snapped up by Samak. Setting off from his own 22, he surged 60m up field before his aging legs gave way – however he had the presence of mind to offload to Stringer to continue the attack. A pick and go from Smith took play within 5m before a lack of control at the breakdown coughed up possession.
Half- way through the second half and the game was still in the balance. Dowemoore limped off with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Little (making a welcome return after 18 months out with injury). A reshuffle of the backline involved Toon drooping to Full Back, Brookes stepping up to Fly-Half whilst Little slotted in the centres. Nomads replacements were however trumped by Newent, who brought on a number of powerful replacements. Pinning Stroud back, these powerful ball carriers were initially repelled by excellent work from Brookes, Churchill and Little before excellent offloading in the tackle freed their backs on the outside to score in the corner. 15-5.
Nomads did not give up the fight and a great kick chase from Williams forced an error that scavenged by Flanagan. Gibbs and Brookes again orchestrated the forward carries and found willing runners in Marshall, Samak and Baker. A half break from Churchill gave Stroud an opportunity but again Newent’s ability over the ball allowed them to clear their lines.
Efficient handling from a scrum again allowed Newent to cross out wide as the game entered its final five minutes. 20-5. Nomads battled to the end but were unable to pierce the green line.
Full Time​Newent 2nd XV​20​Stroud Nomads​5
Despite the result, Nomads should take a number of positives from the game. Their handling and cohesion was solid throughout and their defensive commitment could not be questioned. The only difference in the sides was really Newent’s ability at the breakdown and this should give Nomads a specific point to improve upon before their next game. The mixture of youth and experience continues as does the positive vibe within the squad. Next Fixture: Saturday 29 February v Dursley (Venue TBC) KO 1430.