Plenty of Positives Despite the Loss.

Buoyed by an increasing number of younger players, a squad of 21 travelled to Redwell Road to face a side a league above them in the Reserve Structure. A wet and windy afternoon would make expansive rugby difficult but would provide the backdrop for a physical test for the Nomads.
1 Lee Marshall 2 Sam Davies 3 Damien Cox 4 Adam Clark 5 Matt Doliczny 6 Connor Voyce 7 Tom Flanagan 8 Hector Macdonald 9 Callum Gibbs 10 Jordan Phipps 11 James Nash 12 Jamie Leworthy 13 Ben Wilkes 14 Dom Stephenson 15 Oscar Adamson Reps: Vegas, Nick Stringer, Asher Courts, Mark Phillips, Mark Samak, Alex Nash.
Stroud kicked off with the benefit of the wind and slope and were soon applying pressure to the opposition. An early chop tackle from Flanagan allowed Phipps to get over the ball in typically combative style to force an early penalty, which he kicked deep into the Matson 22. Line out ball was secured courtesy of Doliczny and an early drive looked to surge towards the line. The pack however were held up just short, in a way that would be a regular occurrence throughout the first half.
Nomads continued to dominate territory with Leworthy and Wilkes carrying well in the centres and Marshall, Clark and Voyce making the hard yards closer in. The scrum was producing solid ball and from one set piece, a flat pass from Phipps found Wilkes running a great line and he was only halted by a great last ditch tackle. Adamson as usual was elusive in his running and was another who came close to crossing in the first 20 minutes. Close range pick and drives were also held up despite Stroud being camped on the line for phase after phase.
When Matson cleared they found Nash, Stephenson and Adamson all willing to carry the ball back with interest and reapply the pressure. Matson eventually cleared their lines after Stroud were penalised for holding on close to the line. As ever, their driving lineout secured them ball and momentum and forced Nomads into conceding another penalty. (Stringer replaced Doliczny). Working their way up field, Matson attacked but found Voyce, Flanagan and Mcdonald all showing excellent technique in the tackle coupled with great commitment to stop any huge gains in ground. Flanagan specifically appeared to make tackle after tackle, at one point making 4 in 30 seconds.
As Matson spread the ball wider, excellent hands and an out the back offload from their prop freed their pacey centre to score in the corner. One attack, one score and Nomads were behind despite dominating the game so far. 5-0
More pressure from the defensive line forced a handling error that was pounced upon by Voyce. Securing possession, Gibbs then directed a number of forward drives led by Marshall, Davies and Clark. When quicker ball was available, Phipps as ever was alert to spot a gap and accelerate through it but again was denied by a covering tackler. Just as it appeared Nomads were to be frustrated again, Marshall first and then Voyce inched close before Clark was able to force his way over to level the scores. 5-5.
Half Time ​Matson 2nd XV​5​​Stroud Nomads​5

Nomads knew that the second half would be a tough assignment, up the slope and against the elements but the attitude remained positive. (Courts and Alex Nash replaced Flanagan and James Nash respectively). Matson made good use of the strong breeze and forced Nomads back into their own 22. Consistent pressure was put upon the Nomads line but more committed defending, this time from Stringer and Courts (on debut) held out the Matson forwards. The pressure eventually told with the Matson prop barrelling over from close range in the corner. 10-5.
The scrum remained solid with Marshall, Davies and Cox competing well against more sizable opponents and Vegas continued this work when he replaced Cox. (James Nash returned replacing Adamson with Stephenson moving to Full Back).
Voyce and Macdonald were getting through a huge amount of tackling and along with Leworthy and Wilkes were keeping any significant breaks to a minimum. Forced to change tactic, the Matson fly-half spotted space in behind the backline and cross-kicked perfectly to allow their winger to collect and score in the corner. 15-5. Within minutes, Matson extended their lead by spreading the ball wide and some rare weak defensive work allowed the same winger to break through three tackles to score again. 20-5.
With 20 minutes to go, the old guard of Phillips and Samak entered the fray replacing Leworthy and Voyce and were soon in the action linking well with Phipps to make ground up the middle. Gibbs and Wilkes combined to free Stephenson, who jinked passed two tacklers before offloading to Davies. This interchange forced Matson into conceding a penalty at the breakdown, which allowed Phipps to kick into the Matson half for the first time in the second half. Doliczny, who had returned in place of Clark secured ball. Gibbs spread play to Phipps, who found Wilkes again running a typically hard line. Matson again were penalised and Phipps on this occasion chose to tap and go before finding Samak on his shoulder to carry into the 22. Further strong carries from Stringer and Phillips followed before Phipps again showed his alertness by crashing over from yet another penalty. 20-10.
Nomads looked to attack to the end with Phipps, Samak and Phillips again combining to make inroads into the Matson defence from deep. As play was spread wider a handling error was exploited by the Matson centre, who collected and cut back against the grain to complete the scoring. 25-10.
Full Time​Matson 2nd XV​25​Stroud Nomads​10
Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take from the performance. The introduction of a number of young players has reignited the enthusiasm within the Nomads and with players returning from injury there will now be competition for places for the first time in recent years. Nomads return to action on Friday 17th January Away at Cheltenham KO 1915.