MATCH REPORT: STROUD RUGBY VS FAIRFORD RFC

Match Report by Mark Samak

A warm, breezy afternoon and a rock-hard pitch were the backdrop for a cup Semi-Final in which Stroud would take on Fairford from Gloucestershire 1 North - giving them a great opportunity to see how far they had progressed this season.

Fairford kicked off and soon regained possession. The first 10 minutes were very much controlled by the visitors, who dominated possession in and around the home 22. The Stroud defence however was excellent with Raath, Fruin and both Samaks prominent in the early tackle count. One great piece of work from Fruin was pounced upon to give Stroud their first opportunity to attack. Initially, offensive efforts mis-fired but the Stroud momentum was triggered by a huge scrum against the head. Great work from the pack, allowed Leworthy to pick at the base and drive before feeding Hammonds. The ball went wide for the first time, allowing Samak (D) to drive play up towards the 22 before offloading to Collins. Although tackled, ball was recycled through excellent work from Litton enabling Stroud to begin to work through the phases. Leworthy carried before Hammonds fed Raath whose speculative pass was well collected by Cremmins, who showed his power to break through tackles to surge within 5m. Ashenford fed Wilkes on the short side to step inside within a metre. Hammonds spread play back words the posts and found Raath crashing through with plenty of support to cross for the opening score. Hammonds converted. 7-0.

The Stroud scrummage was solid throughout and regularly pressurised the Fairford eight. The defence was as miserly as ever with Marsh and Samak (D) negating any threat when the ball went wider. Collins was also is great defensive form with a number of strong tackles and great work at the breakdown to produce a turnover.

Stroud’s next attack was from deep with Hammonds and Marsh linking for the young fly-half to loop and use his pace to burst 40m up field. Wilkes fed Marsh, who released the veteran pair of Phillips and Samak (M) to combine in midfield and force a penalty 30m out. Hammonds kick unfortunately hit the post but the rebound caused confusion in the Fairford ranks resulting in another penalty for offside. Hammonds this time made no mistake. 10-0.

Always keen to attack from deep, Stroud showed confidence in running the ball out from a Stokes lineout take on their own 22. Leworthy made the first surge and an excellent offload to Raath continued the momentum. Keen to keep the ball alive, Raath showed great awareness to link with Hammonds, who was able to release Samak (D) on the outside. Pace to him beyond his opposite number before two sublime side steps left the defence grasping as he ran in from 60m. Hammonds converted. 17-0.

Stroud continued to dominate, Debieux and Fruin were carrying well and the backs always looked dangerous when the ball went wide and in open play. Litton was secure at the back and a positive run out from deep set up the next attack. Debieux surged up the middle before Ashenford and Hammonds fed Marsh to intelligently kick down within metres of the line. A great kick chase from Raath forced a hurried clearance that was pounced upon by Leworthy steaming in on a hard line before finding Ashenford. With the scrum-half tied in, the forward took over – pick and goes from Leworthy and Debieux generated momentum before a typical Cremmins surge sucked in more tacklers giving Ashenford the opportunity for a trademark snipe, accelerating away and under the posts. Hammonds converted. 24-0.

Another adventurous attack from deep saw Hammonds find Samak(D) on a short line and a powerful surge and offload back to Hammonds enabled the fly-half to release Litton for a burst up the left. He was only stopped by a high tackle, which Hammonds capitalised on -kicking the penalty down to the 5m line. Stokes secured the Fruin throw and the drive looked set. Fairford however did not engage and excellent communication from Fruin enabled Leworthy to break away infield before quick ball released the backs. Hammonds found Samak (D) and a direct run with fend dragged 3 tacklers over with the centre. 29-0.

Half Time Stroud 29 Fairford 0

(Flanagan replaced Samak (M) with Phillips moving up into the second row).

Fairford took advantage of a series of penalties against Stroud early in the second half to exert their first real pressure on the Stroud line. Close range carries were well defended but penalty after penalty was awarded against Stroud and after a 5-minute effort on their own line, Phillips was yellow carded as a result of the quantity of penalties conceded. Fairford capitalised upon this almost immediately with a forward surge resulting in a score by the posts. Try converted. 29-7.

(Jamie Leworthy replaced Marsh). The penalties continued to be awarded against Stroud and by now Fairford were looking to tap and go quickly. A number of phases provide the opportunity for a strong run from their inside centre and some uncharacteristically lax tackling for another score by the posts. Try converted. 29-14.

Momentum now had certainly shifted and the next score was crucial. Stroud looked to press and forced a penalty of their own – giving them an attacking platform for the first time in the half. Litton was unfortunate not to go over after a well worked move off the scrum. The next score was not long in coming and again it came from deep. Fairford had cleared their lines well but Cremmins picked up loose ball at the lineout to drive forward. Ashenford spread play to Hammonds, who popped to Leworthy – quick ball gave the chance for Hammonds to again show the danger he possesses in open field, arcing wide before accelerating deep into the Fairford half. He found Samak (D) for another fend and a run in for his third score of the afternoon. 34-14.

(Davey-Jawara replaced Samak (D) with Wilkes moving into the centre.)

To their credit Fairford did not retreat and continued to pressure the Stroud line (again aided by the penalties conceded). Good cover from Hammonds snuffed out a kick through but an offside from the goal line drop out heaped pressure back on Stroud. Heroic work from Fruin and Raath forced a turnover however a ricochet from the clearance kick fell kindly for Fairford to regather and score. Try converted. 34-21.

(Stone replaced Fruin). Stroud looked to press and an excellent inside ball from Hammonds found Collins and the winger used his elusive running style to make significant ground up the middle before play was spread wide to Davey-Jawara to cut inside and recycle ball.

Leworthy surged up the blind before Ashenford fed Phillips on the burst to surge into the 22. The next runner was isolated and a turnover ensued enabling Fairford to make their way back down field. The last 10 minutes were very fragmented with both sides making strong carries with the Leworthy brothers getting through their share of work but often errors compounded the positive work. (Lambert replaced Phillips to make his debut).

One last penalty gave Fairford a final attack on the home 5m line however a massive effort from all the forwards kept the line intact thus ending the game and putting Stroud into the Cup Final in two weeks time.

Full Time Stroud 34 Fairford 21

Match highlights can be viewed HERE

This was another great afternoon’s entertainment at Fromehall with Stroud once again combining grit and resolve with skill and ambition chalk up a well-deserved victory.

Great work from the forwards, especially in the scrum set the platform for this exciting young back division to show their ability and once again run in some memorable scores. The side now await the result of next weeks semi-final between Cirencester and Dursley to find their opponents for the Cup Final (Saturday 7 May KO 1500 at Cirencester RFC).

The players and management would like to thank everyone who has supported the squad at home and away this season – their voice and encouragement has certainly added to the atmosphere and really helped to drive the team forward and is hugely appreciated by all players taking the field.