Stroud looked to build on last week’s morale boosting win at local rivals Minchinhampton when they welcomed Norton to a sun-drenched Fromehall Park. Despite a number of changes due to injury and unavailability, hopes were high of another improved performance and another victory.

Stroud: 1. Jason Richings 2. Tom Stone 3. Tommy Allen 4. Chase Stokes 5. Darion Lambert 6. Sam Davies 7. Tom Flanagan 8. Kieran Rodway 9. Jordan Phipps 10. Joe Hoyle 11. Will Mapletoft 12. Sam Leworthy (Captain) 13. Ben Wilkes 14. Oscar Adamson 15. Alex Vale
Replacements: 16. Chris Jones 17. Mark Samak 18. Marcus Martin

Norton started strongly, collecting the open kick-off and controlling possession well. Although their initial attacks were in the narrow channels, they carried with great intent and made significant gains despite not breaking through the home defence. Leworthy and Wilkes were solid in midfield and were ably supported by Davies and Flanagan, who both exhibited exemplary tackle technique throughout the whole game. A turnover from Leworthy looked to have relieved the pressure but an untimely handling error when looking to run the ball from deep put Stroud straight back under the cosh. Norton forced a penalty, which their fly-half easily slotted. 0-3.

Adamson caused disruption at the restart and forced an error. Richings, Stone and Allen provided a solid platform and clean ball allowed Phipps to release the backs. Hoyle found Wilkes on a hard line and although well tackled, quick ruck ball and a trademark dart from Phipps got Stroud in behind the defence and forced a penalty. Hoyle kicked to touch inside the 22 and Stone accurately found Stokes. Leworthy took the direct route but was well marshalled however the defence were adjudged to be offside. Livewire Phipps opted for a quick tap and found willing support in Allen, who took play within 5m. A pick and go from Lambert found a gap in the Norton defence and allowed the young second row to crash over for Stroud’s opening score. Adamson converted. 7-3.

Stroud were soon back on the attack and look to exploit the wider channels with Phipps and Hoyle both keen to spread play. The right flank was the source of great go forward with Flanagan showing great slight of hand with a show and go before releasing Mapletoft, who showed a good turn of pace before his kick ahead took play into the 22. The line-out was gaining in efficiency with Stone finding Lambert to produce good off the top ball. Leworthy as ever was keen to carry into the heart of the opposition defence before linking well with Davies. The ball was recycled and spread right, where Flanagan again made good ground before Phipps and Hoyle shift play back to the left, where Wilkes released Vale whose well-timed pass put Adamson into space to accelerate along the touchline to score in the corner. 12-3.

Stroud were soon forced back into their own 22 with Norton’s defence proving combative against Stroud’s forward carriers. As a result of this, Stroud looked to spread the ball wider however progress was blighted by a number of ambitious offloads that did not go to hand. Stroud held out against powerful Norton carries, particularly from their centres and back row and eventually forced play into touch. An error at the line-out and a quick free kick from Norton again allowed Norton to crash up the middle before uncharacteristic missed tackles allowed their centre and flanker to combine to score by the posts. Try converted. 12-10.

Stroud we not daunted by this setback and were soon back on the attack. Hoyle’s well-placed kick put the Norton Full Back under pressure, which allowed Hoyle to regain the ball with a great jackal before the Norton defence were caught offside in front of their own posts. Adamson calmly slotted the points. 15-10.

Stroud’s scrum was solid all afternoon and was critical in the next score. Solid work allowed Rodway to pick and feed Phipps, who found Vale on the right. The full back released Mapletoft, who chipped ahead and outpaced his opposite number. He was however unable to collect a difficult bouncing ball but Stroud were now only 5m out from the opposition line. A powerful surge from the pack took the ball against the head and allowed Rodway to pick and drive over to expend the lead. 20-10.

Half Time Stroud Rugby 20 Norton RFC 10

Norton restarted and kicked deep. Stroud went through a few phases but were penalised for holding on, passing early momentum to Norton with three points courtesy of the boot. 20-13.
This momentum would continue from the restart when Norton changed their game plan and attacked wide, making good ground up the left and only being stopped by an excellent tackle from Vale. They worked through the phases with their forwards forcing another penalty for offside, which again was accurately kicked. 20-16. (Vale (head injury) replaced by Martin, Jones replaced Stone with Davies moving to hooker).

Norton at this point really had the bit between their teeth and demonstrated again their ability to go wide as well as carry through the middle. Scrambling work from Adamson, slowed their progress but recycled ball was spread wide – Wilkes went for the interception but was adjudged to deliberately knocked on – resulting in a subsequent yellow card and yet another penalty kick for Norton. 20-19.

With thirty minutes to go the game was totally in the balance but momentum was clearly with the visitors. (Samak replaced Rodway). Pressure in the midfield from Hoyle and Leworthy forced a handling error and gave Stroud the foothold they needed. Another rock-solid scrum provided the platform for Phipps to free the backs – Hoyle and Leworthy combined to find Martin, who found Adamson steaming up on the outside to take the final pass and scorch in to score. Adamson converted. 27-19.

This seemed to galvanise Stroud and shifted the momentum back in their favour. The scrum was now completely dominant with Richings and Allen in total control, either taking the ball against the head or causing great disruption to the Norton ball. Forward carriers were also gaining in confidence, Lambert, Stokes and Samak becoming more prominent in close quarters whilst Flanagan was proving highly elusive in broken field situations.

From one scrum, Norton managed to scramble the ball back but a quick press from the backs forced a handling error that was well scooped up by Hoyle. The Fly-Half still had plenty of work to do but showed pace and stamina to accelerate away from the covering defence to cruise in from 50m under the posts. Adamson converted. 34-19.

A great take under pressure from Davies at the restart set the platform for the next attack. Phipps found Samak to make good ground up the middle before spreading play to the backs. The ball went wide to Martin and a quick pick and go from Leworthy put the captain into space and he surged over almost unopposed from 40m to increase the lead further. Adamson converted. 41-19.

Three tries in just over 10 minutes had secured the victory for Stroud but they continued to press, Jones forcing an excellent turnover immediately put Stroud back on the attack. Further scores however eluded the home side despite excellent breaks from Mapletoft and Flanagan again and Samak being held up just short from another scrum against the head. Eventually, Stroud gained their reward refusing to kick the ball out on the last play of the game; Hoyle and Phipps released the backs. An initial surge from Leworthy provided the momentum before the ball was transferred through multiple set of hands before finding Stokes to crash over and ground the ball athletically, despite the presence of the scrambling defence. A fitting way to end the game and a well-deserved reward for his hard work throughout the game. Adamson converted from out wide, to complete an excellent day for him personally – racking up 26 points individually.

Full Time Stroud Rugby 48 Norton RFC 19

This was another set on the ladder of improvement for this young side. The set-piece was more solid than in previous weeks and the structure that the coaches have developed also being more apparent. The forwards deserve full credit for their work this week and set the platform for some excellent handling and fine tries. There are still of course many steps for this side to take but team spirit is high and the return of a number of players next week should lead to competition for places that will only drive the squad forward further.

Man of the Match: Darion Lambert

Many thanks to our Match Day Sponsors: Martin Evans and Colburn Homes.

Next Fixture: V Old Patesians (Home) Saturday 24 September KO 1500.