Nomads undone in final minute

Gloucestershire Reserve League Division 1 North - Newent 2nd XV 5 - 3 Stroud Nomads

The Nomads were under pressure from the kick off and only excellent defensive work kept their opponents from scoring. It took Stroud some 10 - 15 minutes to get play into the Newent half with No 8 Rob Matts and scrum half Joe Ashenford linking well.

The dangerous Newent backs had plenty of opportunity to run and last ditch tackling especially by the Nomads back row of Tom Flanagan, Rob Matts and Neil Broadbent kept their try line intact. As the first half progressed the Stroud threequarters eventually made inroads into the Newent 22 where scrum half Joe Ashenford kicked a straightforward penalty.

The second half was played mainly in the Stroud half with Newent pummelling away at the Nomads line, but being held by a very determined defence.

Two kickable penalties were missed by Newent and with Stroud introducing fly half Iain Bushell (back after being injured in the home game against Newent) and centre James Norbury, the Nomads attacked from inside their own half. With some 10 minutes remaining Stroud were awarded a penalty inside their own half, a quick break by scrum half Joe Ashenford took play into the Newent half and from the resulting line out a good threequarter movement gave Nomads an overlap and with the line begging the final pass was dropped and so the chance of increasing their lead.

A penalty award then took Newent back into the Stroud half and with the last passage of play their wing barged over in the corner to win this very close match.

Next match (Glos Reserve League Cup) 31st January 2015 v Dings Crusaders 3rd XV at Home kick off 2.30pm.