A good second half display by the Nomads

This league match for Stroud was a game of two halves with no real cohesion in the first, and then a complete turn around in the second and winning the match with three excellent tries.

Once again the Nomads side showed a number of changes from the previous week with newcomers Jack Kightley, Gary Claxton and Mark Walters making their first appearances for the club. Although Stroud had plenty of possession in the first half only fullback Jake Marsh and wing Sam Strange looked likely to breach the Longlevens defence. Good field positions were lost through poor decision making or taking wrong options Longlevens backs always looked dangerous and from a good spell of pressure inside the Stroud 22, their centre cut through to score an unconverted try. Further chances were created by their speedy backs but not taken.

The halftime chat seemed to have worked wonders for Nomads as immediately from the kick off centre Brendan Wheeler made a lovely break and raced 30yards to score Nomads first try, converted by captain Cory Baker. With the Stroud forwards and backs linking well a good strong run by Sam Strange ended with 2nd row Charlie Foote being hauled down short of the try line, from the ensuing maul veteran 2nd row Rob Davey drove over the line for Nomads 2nd try. With Jake Marsh and Ian Bushell having to leave the field due to injury Gary Claxton and Mark Walters came on to replace them. Claxton soon made an impression having received the ball from scrum half Callum Gibbs cut through a static defence to score the third try. Longlevens were soon back in the game when a long run by their full back led to their second try. They then threw everything into attack, but good defence tackling by Nomads kept them out.

Next match - Saturday 5th November 2016 v Matson 2nd XV (Away) ko 2.30pm