Nomads secure well deserved Victory

Windy but dry conditions and a pitch, which was in remarkable condition for the time of year greeted the lads as they looked to push on from the positive performances of recent weeks.

1 Damien Cox 2 Lee Marshall 3 Tom Warner 4 Adam Clark 5 Nick Stringer 6 Mark Phillips 7 Tom Waring 8 Cory Baker 9 Callum Gibbs 10 Luke Dowemoore 11 Tom Flanagan 12 Chris Toon 13 Lex Brookes 14 Dom Stephenson 15 Ben Wilkes Reps: Chris Smith, Mark Samak, James Nash.

Nomads played up the slope and into the wind in the first half but the initial problem was the sun, which made the kick-off very difficult to secure. An early knock on awarded Ledbury an early attacking opportunity and they looked to move the ball wide from the scrum. Toon and Brookes however stopped any gain and forced Ledbury to attempt a kick ahead. A good press allowed Dowemoore to block the kick and hack ahead however Nomads were unable to regain possession. The scrum was solid despite the slope and throughout the half became stronger and allowed Nomads to pressurise Ledbury ball. The slope and breeze were well used by the home side with their scrum half in particular kicking intelligently and forcing Nomads back into their own 22. Marshall found Stringer and set the platform for an excellent forward drive, which allowed Dowemoore to clear. Ledbury however were straight back on the attack and pinned Nomads back. Phillips and Waring combined in a mix of experience and youth but both were getting through more than their fair share of tackling as Nomads held out. Inevitably, the pressure did eventually tell despite excellent work from Warner and Baker close in – a Ledbury forward crashed over in the corner to open the scoring. 5-0.

Nash came on the wing replacing Wilkes with Stephenson moving to Full Back. With Cox, Marshall and Warner gaining ascendancy in the scrum, Baker was able to pick and go before feeding Toon on a typically hard line. Getting over the gain line, quick ball from Gibbs fed Warner, whose powerful surge took three tacklers to stop the Prop. Dowemoore fed Clark at pace and he surged through a gap and was only stopped by a last ditch tackle from the Ledbury Full Back. Gibbs spread play back to the left, where efficient hands from Baker and Toon released Brookes to cruise in out wide. 5-5.

Smith replaced Cox in the front row but there was no change in the scrum supremacy. The lineout was not as secure but Stringer and Waring were winning a share of ball despite the wind causing issues for both throwers. Nomads were now making good ground through their forward carriers. Marshall, Warner and Phillips all carried strongly whilst Waring was proving to be an excellent link between forwards and backs on debut. One Phillips carry and offload to Warner pushed Nomads into opposition territory before the backs spread play wide to Flanagan, who made great ground up the left wing. Dowemoore fed Baker as play was switched back to the right and the Number 8 sucked in a number of tacklers before Gibbs, Toon and Stephenson showed great hands to create and overlap for Nash to score out wide. Dowemoore converted. 5-12.

Half Time Ledbury 2nd XV 5​Stroud Nomads 12

Samak entered the fray at the start of the second half replacing Baker. Ledbury secured the kick-off and looked to run the ball out but more strong defence from Toon and Brookes in the centres allowed Waring to scavenge the loose ball. Dowemoore took advantage of the slope and his pinpoint kick forced Ledbury back to within 5m of their own line. An overthrow at the lineout was gathered by Waring, who show great strength to power between two tacklers to score. Dowemoore converted. 5-19.

Baker replaced Waring but the young flanker had certainly left his mark on the game in a highly impressive debut. Nomads now were very much in control and continued to press. Unfortunately, the scrum dominance could not be continued as Ledbury were without a front row replacement resulting in uncontested scrums. Samak picked from the base and fed Toon, who again made good ground before Gibbs found Clark to carry on the momentum. Dowemoore and Brookes released Stephenson to make good ground on the left but the move was halted as the offload failed to go to hand. From the scrum, Ledbury attacked right and their centre exploited a rare lapse in the Nomads defence to weave 40m to score by the posts. Try Converted. 12-19. Wilkes returned in place of Flanagan.

Despite appearing to be in control, the game was far from won and Nomads needed to up a gear once again. Nomads defence was back to its normal security with the Phillips and Baker combining to force a turnover. Gibbs and Dowemoore spread the play and Brookes took play deep into the Ledbury 22. Pick and goes from Marshall and Smith continued the momentum and took play within 5m before Ledbury were penalised for being offside. A quick tap from Gibbs found Toon running at pace and the centre crashed through a gap in the defence to score by the posts. Dowemoore converted. 12-26.

With 20 minutes to go, Stephenson was forced from the field with a leg injury. Nomads reshuffled with Baker dropping back into the centre, Toon to Full Back, Stringer into the back row and Cox coming back on a Prop with Warner dropping back into the Second Row. This reshuffling did not affect control and Nomads continued to press. Warner was continuing to cause disruption with powerful carries whilst Phillips and Samak were also getting through their share of carrying.

Ledbury enjoyed periods of possession but only really threatened once when they spread play left. A brave tackle from Nash forced the winger to put a foot in touch and Nomads were able to clear the danger.
Nomads had the last of the action with Phillips again snapping up loose ball before Gibbs and Dowemoore freed Toon to surge down the left wing. Marshall continued the momentum before feeding Samak, whose half break gave quick ball for Gibbs and Brookes to spread play wide right.

A final score looked a certainty but unfortunately the final pass did not go to hand and the final whistle was blown.

Full Time​Ledbury 2nd XV 12​ Stroud Nomads 26

After 4 weeks of positive performance, it was crucial that Nomads gained the first win since the New Year. Controlling the game for large periods, the win could have been more convincing but again it shows the development is continuing. The mixture of youth and experience is blending well and a really positive vibe continues to run through the squad. With numbers increasing, competition for places will hopefully be fierce when the Nomads return to action on Saturday 15th February at Home to Cheltenham North 2nd XV KO 1430.

A final word needs to go to Dom Stephenson, who suffered a broken fibula. Best Wishes go to the young winger for a speedy recovery.