Nomads battle all the way

With a very depleted side due to injuries and unavailability Nomads were up against it when playing the table leaders Old Centralians.

Playing down the slope in the first half Stroud were well in the game for the first 35 minutes. Good play by the forwards kept Old Cents on the back foot and only good defence by them kept Nomads out.

With play being kept mainly between the 22s it was against the run of play that Old Cents created an overlap for their winger to score near the posts, the try being converted.

Stroud retaliated immediately and a superb break by centre Harry Foote gave his centre partner Chris Toon the try scoring pass.

With time running out in the first half Old Cents forwards drove to the Nomads try line and were awarded a try.

From the kick off missed tackles allowed Old Cents threequarters to make rapid porgress up the field and for the Old Cents No.8 to score, though the conversion was missed.

The second half developed into a very bad tempered 40 minutes with several brawls taking place ending in two Stroud and one Old Cents players being sent to the sin bin.

The consequence of this resulted in the Old Cents taking command of the game and running in several tries. Stroud were further hampered by injuries to winger Alex Powell and Chris Toon who both had to leave the field of play with ankle problems. Although Stroud were under pressure throughout the second half the tackling and spirit of the team was excellent.

Next match Stroud Nomads v Cheltenham North 2nd XV at Home k.o. 2.30pm