Playing for Pride

Nomads travelled with only 11 players and were reliant on Newent lending out 2 players to enable this game to begin. With many players playing out of position, it was always going to be an uphill task against a powerful Newent side.
Squad: Craig Hill, Sam Davies, Lee Marshall, Jack Keightley, Mark Samak, Mark Phillips, Tu’i, Callum Gibbs, Cory Baker, Tom Taylor, Fred Stephenson.
From the start, Newent showed great intention to get the ball wide as they attacked down the slope. Nomads defence was always committed with Taylor and Stephenson making excellent early tackles out wide. The defence close to the breakdown was initially solid with Samak and Phillips bringing down their forward runners. Newent’s expansive style moved Nomads around and eventually stretched the defence allowing them to use their numerical advantage to score 2 early tries – one of which was converted. 12-0.
Nomads as ever were full of commitment when an excellent tackle by Phillips forced a turnover and gave Stroud some possession. The scrummage was under pressure but Tu’i, making his debut, showed great strength and skill in securing ball. A powerful burst from Tu’i took play towards the Newent 22, where carries from Keightley and Samak continued the momentum. Good ball allowed Gibbs to feed Baker, whose left-footed cross kick was beautifully weighted for a loaned player to collect and finding the supporting Stephenson on the inside to score. Baker was successful with the conversion. 12-7.
Nomads again attacked soon after again forcing an error courtesy of good defensive work from Davies and Marshall. Gibbs found Tu’i in open play and he managed to break through a number of tackles before offloading to Phillips, who was pulled down 5m out. Newent managed to slow the ball down and eventually clear their lines. Newent’s centre showed a great step and pace to breech the defensive line to score under the posts shortly after to extend their lead. 19-7.
With Newent now in the ascendancy, the attacks were becoming fast and frequent. Stephenson made two excellent try saving tackles but Newent were able to breech the Stroud line again soon after - this time with a close range drive near the posts. 26-7.
Nomads tackling remained committed with Davies and Phillips to the fore. Baker was as solid as ever and made an excellent tackle to stop a Newent centre in his tracks. Unfortunately, this resulted in a knee injury that forced him from the field.
With limited possession, Nomads struggled to make any in roads into the Newent defence. Battling carries from Hill and Samak retained possession and a fine break from Taylor went unrewarded due to a final forward pass. Newent scored two more quick tries with their elusive centre being at the forefront of both attacks. 36-7.
With the last play of the half, Newent kicked ahead but Stephenson again showed great bravery in snatching the ball and preventing another try. His bravery however came at a cost with a heavy fall resulting in a dislocated shoulder. With the half time whistle blown and Nomads down to only 9 of their own players, a decision was made to abandon the game with the result standing as a Newent win.
Newent 2nd XV​36​​Stroud Nomads​7
The 11 players should take great pride from their battling performance, which was respected by Newent, who appreciated the fact that Nomads had travelled and begun the game.
Thanks to Newent for lending the players that enabled the match to begin and also to their Medical support, who gave their time to treat Nomads injured players.
Hopefully, numbers will swell next week and Nomads can regain some of the early season positivity against Cheltenham at Fromehall next Saturday.