Nomads slip to narrow defeat

On a fine winter's afternoon those present saw an exciting game of rugby and witnessed one of best tries seen at Fromehall Park. The Nomads once again fielded a much changed side, but welcomed back Peter Sykes from injury and full back Jordan Phipps. Within 5 minutes of the kick off Coney Hill made clear their intentions by running the ball at every opportunity and were soon 10points to the good after two breakaway tries, with Stroud looking very sluggish and not making their first tackles count.

Coney Hill continued on the attack and from a loose ball collected by full back Jordan Phipps on his own try line he made off along the touchline beating several opponents on the way, chipped over another player caught the ball and continued onwards giving the covering Coney Hill defence the slip by a slight stutter in his step and scoring in the corner after running the length of the field, a fine try.

The Coney Hill pack made their presence felt at the scrum and Nomads found themselves under pressure throughout the game, although No.8 Mark Samak always managed to give scrum half Callum Gibbs good ball. Stroud's backs always looked dangerous with the ball in hand with Peter Sykes and his two centres Brendan Wheeler and Jamie Leworthy making several breaks without the end product being a score.

Coney Hill scored their third try from a rolling maul close to the Nomads line. However, Nomads were not to be denied a second score with centre Brendan Wheeler making a fine break and scoring under the posts, with Peter Sykes making the conversion.

The second half was again a hard fought game with Coney hill's forwards again making the running and scoring their second rolling maul try. Nomads continued to play open rugby and from a fine threequarter passing movement wing Chris Toon was tackled short of the try line where prop Charlie Foote picked up the loose ball and although stopped by the Coney hill defence managed to smuggle the ball to Rob Davey who crashed over for a try.

Once again Coney Hill upped their response and after Nomads gave away several penalty kicks, from another lineout catch and drive Coney Hill scored their fifth try. Nomads came straight back onto the tack and a fine passing movement between backs and forwards which involved at least seven different players gave second row Rob Davey to score his second try, converted by Peter Sykes. With time running out Stroud kept pressure on the Coney Hill defence, but a loss ball at the lineout by Nomads proved costly as Coney Hill went down the field and from the award of a penalty kick for offside their fly half made the winning kick.

Next match: 3rd December 2016 v Tetbury 2nd XV (away) ko 2.30pm