MATCH REPORT: Stroud vs Gloucester Old Boys RFC

MATCH REPORT BY MARK SAMAK

Stroud travelled over to Gloucester for a top of the table clash on a wet and windy afternoon. This was expected to be the toughest test of the season so far and so it proved for the young Stroud side that were still missing their top scorer, Sam Hester, through injury.

Stroud: 1 Jason Richings 2 Sam Davies 3 Tom Allen 4 Chase Stokes 5 Darion Lambert 6 Phil Fruin 7 Tom Flanagan 8 Zinzan Cremins 9 Joe Ashenford 10 Joe Hoyle 11 Elliott Bonham 12 Sam Leworthy (Captain) 13 Ben Wilkes 14 Pete Sykes 15 Matt Collins Replacements: 16 Tom Stone 17 Ryan Poole 18 Marcus Martin

Stroud got off to the worst possible start with Fruin being injured and the concession of a penalty inside their own 22 within the first minute. The loss of the experienced Fruin would prove to be the first in a number of unfortunate and crucial events throughout the afternoon. Old Boys made the most of the early opportunity – winning the lineout and driving over from 5m. 5-0. (Stone replaced Fruin).

Pressure from the restart gave Stroud their first opportunity in attack and Flanagan and Cremins carried well against stout defence. Ashenford spread the ball wider and Hoyle and Leworthy combined to free Wilkes, who made a half-break before being dragged down 5m short. Keen to keep to their expansive ethos the ball was spread wide left but a speculative pass went to ground and was well picked up by the Old Boys right winger, who cruised away to run in from 80m to score under the posts. Try Converted. 12-0.

With barely 5 minutes gone, Stroud were 12 points behind and had lost the most experienced forward - it would have been easy for this young side to regress into their shell but to their credit, they began to work their way back into the game. Working through phases, carries from Stokes and Cremins took play up towards the Old Boys 22 and pressure forced the home side into conceding a penalty that was calmly slotted by Ashenford. 12-3.

Old Boys continued to show their strength in carrying close to the breakdown and forced a penalty at the breakdown that was comfortably slotted to extend their lead. 15-3.

Stroud had taken their time but finally got into their attacking stride with a kick return from Collins setting the platform. Cremins fed Stone for a powerful surge up the middle before the backs spread the play right. Wilkes and Sykes combined to carry play into the 22 before Ashenford switched play to Stokes, who carried into the heart of the home defence. Another clever switch of play saw Ashenford and Hoyle find Wilkes, who this time linked well with Lambert with an inside pass – enabling the second row to stride over on the right. 15-8. (Poole replaced Lambert).

An excellent turnover from Ashenford gave Stroud the opportunity to attack from deep inside their own 22. Although, Leworthy’s initial carry was repelled, Stroud showed great composure to secure ball and attack from under the shadow of their own posts. Hoyle spotting the overlap fed Wilkes, whose outside break took play up to the 10m line before he found Collins in support. The full-back cut back infield over halfway before feeding Hoyle supporting on the inside. The fly-half looked to be clear but a pulled hamstring hampered any further progress. Maintaining calm, Hoyle floated a long pass out to Cremins, who showed excellent pace as well as his abundant power to brush off a tackle before out-running the covering defence to cross wide on the left. This was certainly the try of the afternoon. 15-13. (Martin replaced Hoyle with Sykes moving into Fly-Half).

If a turnover had set up the previous score, another turnover would unfortunately gift Old Boys the next score. Great work at the breakdown saw the ball come back on the Stroud side, however the resulting pass went to ground and was well-picked up by the Old Boys centre, who crashed through before offloading well to their Number 8 to dive over. Try Converted. 22-13.

Although the Stroud lineout again proved inconsistent, the scrum remained solid and provided good ball for the next score. Ashenford fed Sykes, whose step and show took him beyond his opposite number before releasing Leworthy to surge into the 22. The skipper was eventually dragged down metres short but good support at the breakdown enabled Wilkes to pick and drive over from close range. Ashenford converted. 22-20.

Old Boys pressured again towards the end of the half but excellent defensive work from Richings, Flanagan and another turnover from Cremins prevented any further scoring as a breathless first half ended.

Half Time ​Gloucester Old Boys ​22​ Stroud​ 20

The opening of the second half set the tone for a frustrating 40 minutes. A deep kick-off was eventually controlled by the Old Boys Number 8 but despite taking the ball on his own 22, he was able to break through a number of tackles to take play into the Stroud half. This surrender of territory was a theme of the half with penalties forcing Stroud back into their own 22. Defence was always brave with the Allen, Stone, Davies and Flanagan all getting through their share of tackling. The first 20 minutes of the half remained scoreless but more concerning was the lack of both territory and possession for Stroud. Eventually, Old Boys pressure was rewarded. Attacking the blindside, an excellent tackle from Davies appeared to have nullified the threat but a loss of control at the back of the subsequent line-out have Old Boys an attacking scrum 5m out. A pick from their Number 8 and constant pick and goes were repelled until yet another pick saw their flanker squeeze over. 27-20.

Old Boys regularly looked to exploit the narrow side, which led to their next score. Brave work again repelled the danger but an offside and penalty resulted in double punishment for Stroud – a yellow card and an opportunity for Old Boys from a 5m line-out. A well-executed catch and drive saw their back rower score again. 32-20.

The last 10 minutes continue to push for a score that could earn them 2 points. Cremins continued to be at the heart of the action whilst Leworthy and Wilkes were always willing to take the ball up. The Old Boys defence was organised and closed down any space the centres had. Stroud, after hammering away inside the Old Boys 22 finally looked to have created space but suffered at the hands of a confusing decision from the referee. Wilkes, as ever, carried hard and good work at the breakdown provided clean ball for Ashenford to feed Sykes. Once again, he was able to beat his opposite number before looking to spread play to Martin on the left wing. With only the Full Back to beat the ball appeared to be knocked on by Old Boys and ended up behind the Stroud winger. Thinking of a penalty or possibly even a penalty try, Stroud were amazed to find the decision go against them with a scrum being awarded to Old Boys. Further pressure was applied by Stroud but they were unable to breech a physical and resolute Old Boys defence.

Full Time ​Gloucester Old Boys ​32​​ Stroud​​ 20

This was certainly a hugely disappointing result for both the players and the supporters, who had travelled in numbers. The loss of two experienced players in Fruin and Hoyle certainly hindered Stroud’s progress within the game but the lack of control in the second half after battling back into the game will be a major focus before Stroud continue their quest for promotion in two weeks’ time. This was undoubtedly Stroud’s greatest physical test of the season so far and their young players will certainly gain from the intensity of the 80 minutes. Focus now reverts to training and learning the lessons that defeat, frustration and disappointment bring. This is far from the end of Stroud’s season as with two games left, their destiny is still under their own control.

Next Fixture v Norton (Away) Saturday 25 March KO 1430