MATCH REPORT: CHELTENHAM CIVIL SERVICE RFC VS STROUD RUGBY

Report by Mark Samak

Stroud travelled to Cheltenham Civil Service (CCS) hoping to carry on a run of victories against the side occupying the top spot in the league. Stroud were able to field a squad of 19 despite a number of players carrying injury.

The early exchanges were fairly even with CCS running hard close to the breakdown whilst Stroud elected to spread play from the start. An early handling error from the home side was capitalised on with a solid Stroud scrum giving Ashenford the platform to feed Hammonds to take play to the line before his acceleration took him arcing past his opposite number and into space. Surging beyond the defensive line, showing slight of hand, the fly-half produced a beautiful inside ball to Leworthy to run in from 25m under the posts. Hammonds converted. 0-7.

Debieux and Cremmins were prominent with their early carries but Stroud were unable to exert any real control with continuity being an issue. CCS came more into the game through their close carrying but mainly through Stroud indiscipline resulting in penalties, which gave them easy territorial gains. CCS lineout was secure and set up a number of forward drives, which ended with their powerful Number 8 crashing over from close range. Try converted. 7-7.

Penalties continued to plague Stroud, missing touch on their advantage whilst conceding a number due to indiscipline at the breakdown. CCS made the most of their forays into the Stroud 22. Another secured lineout and front peel sent their Number 8 powering up the blindside and breaking two tackles to score in the corner. 12-7. (Flanagan replaced Voyce).

Wilkes caused disruption at the kick-off that was seized upon by Baldwin. Thomas and Phillips continued the momentum with strong surges before Ashenford and Hammonds spread play back to the left. Baldwin elected against a risky offload and carried – giving secure ball for Ashenford to pick and find Leworthy on a hard line to break through a tackle to score. 12-12.

Stroud held on for the last 5 minutes of the first half despite the unfortunate loss of Debieux to a yellow card. Fruin, Phillips and Flanagan were solid against the close carriers and kept the line intact as the halftime whistle blew.

Cheltenham Civil Service 12 Stroud Rugby 12

CCS dominated the first 15 minutes of the second half – their forward carriers punishing the Stroud defensive line. On the occasions the line was broken, Collins showed bravery in making two last ditch tackles but the pressure kept on coming despite a number of clearing kicks from Hammonds. One kick return made significant ground up the middle before yet another forward carry made a half-break before an offload to their centre saw him cross under the posts despite a brave last-ditch effort from Collins to hold the ball up. Try Converted. 19-7.

Yet another penalty gave CCS more territory and their lineout gave them the platform to once again send their forward runners up. Debieux returned to the field and together with Thomas competed well in the close quarter battle, whilst Flanagan was terrier-like in pursuit of their big carriers. CCS were once again beneficiaries of the referee’s decision and elected to scrummage a penalty given to them 10m out. Once again, their Number 8 picked up and broke through two tackles to score. Try converted. 26-12. (Davey-Jawara replaced Baker).

To their credit, Stroud responded immediately with Wilkes again causing problems from Hammonds restart. Flanagan scavenged the loose ball, before Stroud began to control the phases. Cremmins and Stokes carried before excellent handling in a tight space from Hammonds and Baker found Collins in the 5m channel to cross over to score. Hammonds converted. 26-19.

With 25 minutes to go, Stroud were back in the game however the momentum was to shift instantly back to CCS as another fine kick return from their full back set up another series of punishing drives. Fruin and Phillips again stemmed the tide but again CCS exploited the blindside with their Number 8 crashing over for his fourth try. Try converted. 33-19. (Samak replaced Baldwin).

The final 20 minutes took the form of the previous 60 with CCS looking to continue in their narrow attacks. Fruin, Stokes and Samak worked well in defence as CSS regularly changed the point of attack to target the narrow side. (Bushall replaced Phillips with Leworthy moving into the back row). Showing their handling ability, CCS changed their point of attack to spread play wider and exploit an overlap for their centre to score in the corner. Try converted. 40-19.

Looking to finish on a high Stroud forced a turnover with excellent work at the breakdown from Fruin and Samak. Bushall took a quick tap and fed Thomas on the charge. Stroud had attacking ball for the first time in a while and were keen to use it. Leworthy hit an excellent line off Hammonds, breaking the advantage line before Ashenford spread the quick ball for the backs to find Bonham on the wing to scorch in for a try bonus point. 40-24.

The final 5 minutes continued to be a war of attrition in the close quarters with CCS controlling the ball to see out a well-deserved win.

Cheltenham Civil Service 40 Stroud Rugby 24

This was the end of a successful run of results for Stroud. CCS deserved their win and the incentive of winning the league certainly pushed them to produce an efficient performance which on the day was too much for Stroud. There were still positives to be taken for Stroud with handling and offloading a real strength and the attitudes and commitment of the players never waning despite momentum being against them.

Stroud look to reset and finish the league season on a high next Saturday (09-04-22) with a home game v Old Cryptians 2ndXV (KO 15:00).