The sun was shining, the pitch was firm, Fromehall looked a picture; everything was set up for an expansive game of rugby between two sides showing early promise within the league and the 80 minutes that followed did not disappoint. Prior to kick-off, a minute silence in memory of Bob Powis was impeccably undertaken with past players lining up with the current squad to pay their respects to a man who was the epitome of what it means to be involved with a rugby club.

Stroud: 1 Jason Richings 2 Sam Davies 3 Tommy Allen 4 Chase Stokes 5 Darion Lambert 6 Zinzan Cremins 7 Tom Flanagan 8 Aaron Raath 9 Jordan Phipps 10 Will Hammonds 11 Marcus Martin 12 Sam Leworthy (Capt) 13 Sam Hester 14 Oscar Adamson 15 Matt Collins Replacements: 16 Phil Fruin 17 Will Tidey 18 Ben Wilkes

Stroud kicked off and immediately applied the pressure. Adamson and Raath caused early disruption however Pats were able to secure possession and immediately showed their intent by attacking wide. There full back was a constant threat all afternoon with his elusive incursions but early attacks were well marshalled with Flanagan, Leworthy and Hester prominent in the early defensive effort. Hammonds also was getting through his own share of defensive work, using his pace to scramble across and drag the Pats full back down as he appeared to be clear. Collins, at full back, showed bravery in a number of one on one try saving tackles as Pats dominated both territory and possession in the early phases. Davies and Flanagan again were chopping down opponents with excellent technique and one such tackle enabled Cremins to show his prowess over the ball and force a penalty for holding on. Hester cleared to touch to give Stroud some forward momentum for the first time in the game.

The set piece continued to improve with the scrummage solid on home ball but crucially gaining the ascendancy on opposition ball. Richings, Davies and Allen showing their strength as a front row unit and causing Pats to scramble the ball away on numerous occasions. The lineout again showed development from previous weeks; Stokes and Lambert providing clean ball from accurate throws from Davies allowing Phipps to release the back division. As ever, Phipps showed his ability to ignite those around him with his usual willingness to take on the opposition from the base – a typically combative surge after Collins had collected a Pats clearance gave Stroud their first attacking foray. Hammonds kept the home side on the front foot with a beautifully judged kick, which forced Pats back into their own 22. Pats lineout was their particular strength throughout the game and they secured ball, allowing them to set up forward carries to push upfield. Allen, Davies and Flanagan were again prominent in the defensive effort and yet another strong piece of work at the breakdown from Cremins forced a penalty for holding on. Hester stuck the kick cleanly from 40m to open the scoring. 3-0.

Taking heart from this, Stroud continued to press. Collins always looked to open up and run the ball back at Pats – often beating a number of tacklers with a mix of pace and evasion. Hammonds again used the boot to drive Pats further back into their own territory. Another Collins break up the left wing turned the Pats defence and enabled Stroud to really hit their structure for the first time. Raath carried well off Phipps before a short pop from Hammonds fed Allen to surge powerfully over the advantage line. Quick ruck ball and distribution from Phipps and Hammonds saw Leworthy take the ball to the defensive line before a slightly delayed offload found his centre partner, Hester, who cut a beautiful line and glided through before cruising away under the posts. Hester converted. 10-0.

Pats however were always too good a side to fold and soon exploited some Stroud indiscipline at the breakdown. They were easily able to advance into the home 22 through the boot before using the strength of their lineout to apply further pressure. An efficient catch and drive was bravely repelled with excellent work from Richings and Cremins but a number of strong pick and goes eventually forced a score that was converted to narrow the gap. 10-7.

Danger was always apparent when Pats had the ball in broken play and they always looked to take the opportunity for a quick tap penalty. One such tap from another Stroud indiscretion at the breakdown found uncharacteristic gaps in the home defence up the narrow side. Slick handling took play into the 22 and despite another brave last-ditch tackle from Collins, there was enough support for Pats to cross in the corner. 10-12.

Unfortunately, Collins had to leave the field shortly after due to taking a blow to the head in another committed kick return. He was replaced by Wilkes with Hester moving to Full Back.

Half Time Stroud Rugby 10 Old Patesians RFC 12

The disappointments Stroud suffered before half-time did not dissuade Stroud from their attacking intent and the home side were soon on the attack. Tidey, on debut, had replaced Lambert and the young second row was soon showing his desire to carry. Leworthy as ever was also keen to take the ball on and showed the power of his hand-off and a number of occasions to make significant gains. Efficient phase play and control from the boot of Hammonds pushed Stroud up into the Pats half. Solid ball from the scrum allowed Hammonds to feed Martin - making an incursion into the line from the blind side wing - before he floated a superb long pass out to Adamson on the right wing. The livewire winger looked to go on the outside before cutting back in, only to be held up just short of the line. Excellent support from Wilkes provided clean ball for Hester to pick up at the base and drive over from close range. 15-12.

Stroud were soon back on defensive duty with Pats reclaiming possession at the restart. Stroud’s line speed and first up tackling was excellent all afternoon – Davies, Flanagan and Leworthy to the fore of this effort with Phipps as ever always keen to be involved in the physical confrontation. This determination kept Pats from making any significant gains but again indiscipline around the breakdown allowed Pats to kick into the danger zone. Another well executed catch and drive surged over from 15m out and with the conversion added, Pats retook the lead. 15-19.

Stroud applied their own pressure from the restart and immediately forced a penalty, which Hester calmly slotted to reduce the gap to a single point. 18-19.

Fruin entered the fray and was soon in the action with a number of strong carries and dominant tackles. Tidey exhibited his athleticism with a number of great takes at the lineout and allowed Phipps to whip the ball away to swiftly. Hammonds was now taking the ball to the line and made a number of half breaks and offloads, one of which to Hester was unlucky to be pulled back as adjudged forward. Showing his maturity, Hammonds was also able to choose the right time to pin Pats back with his boot and one territorial gain set the platform for what would prove to be the crucial score. A solid take from Stokes set the platform for Hammonds to find Raath to carry strongly before efficient rucking put the ball on a plate for Phipps and Hammonds to combine to find Leworthy crashing through on a powerful line. The skipper surged away before being felled by a high tackle only metres short. Showing presence of mind, he was immediately back on his feet to tap and drive over the line for a well-deserved score. Hester converted 25-19.

The game was far from over, with over ten minutes left on the watch. Both sides continued to exchange attacking phases with Stroud showing the greater pattern and structure to their play. Phipps continued to cause disruption around the breakdown both in attack and defence whilst Adamson and Martin were solid in defence when Pats looked to spread the ball wider. Wilkes carried strongly in midfield before Hammonds again pushed Pats back with an accurate kick. A great defensive press led by Cremins seemed to have led to another turnover however Stroud were harshly adjudged to have not released in the tackle and offered Pats yet another opportunity to push into Stroud territory as they looked for the winning score.

It was now all hands-on deck in the defensive effort as initially Pats looked to push wide. Leworthy and Wilkes were as solid as ever in the centre whilst the youngsters Tidey and Lambert in the second row were also getting through their fair share of work. Once again, the referee’s interpretation of the breakdown piled more pressure on Stroud as another penalty pushed Pats within 10m. A series of catch and drives were superbly defended by Stroud with Fruin and Allen causing massive disruption and foiling the momentum. Another penalty – another catch and drive – another immense defensive effort from all the forwards before yet another penalty was called. Relieved to have kept fifteen players on the pitch, Stroud braced themselves for another catch and drive but Pats opted for a close-range tap and go. Stroud again showed bravery and commitment in the narrow areas to meet and chop down the Pats carriers as they pushed towards the line and towards the posts in their search of the winning seven points. One hit after another from the Stroud pack kept the line intact before one slightly wider pass appeared to have found space. Fittingly, Cremins (whose defensive work was outstanding all afternoon) tackled and got himself underneath the ball carrier to hold the ball up and end the game.

Full Time Stroud Rugby 25 Old Patesians RFC 19

This was indeed Stroud’s finest performance of the season so far and was needed to defeat a Pats side that will surely be challenging at the top of league throughout the rest of the season. The development in set-piece play has provided Stroud the possession their exciting back division crave and this performance showed what they can do given the opportunity.

More pleasing than this though, is the heart and desire the forwards are showing both in attack but crucially in their defensive duties, which eventually sealed the game for Stroud. With youngsters and experienced players combining well and showing a fantastic team spirit, the club should look forward to the upcoming months this season.

Man of the Match: Jordan Phipps

The performance was indeed a fitting tribute to Bob Powis and was enjoyed by a sizeable Fromehall crowd – thank you for your support.

Match highlights are available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIoHuAt-WMk

Next Fixture: (Away) v Chosen Hill FP 2nd XV – Saturday 1st October KO 1500.