MATCH REPORT: Tewkesbury RFC vs Stroud Rugby

Match Report by Mark Samak

Stroud travelled up the M5 to visit league leaders, Tewkesbury, looking to build upon their recent victory over Cheltenham Civil Service. A dry but breezy day and a pitch that had withstood the recent rainfall would give Stroud the opportunity to play a quick, expansive game and move their more sizeable opponents around. The home fixture had ended in a draw so a close game was on the cards, making the opening skirmishes crucial.

Stroud had the benefit of the breeze in the first half and looked to exploit this immediately. The kick-off was secured well by Baldwin, a strong feature of his game throughout the afternoon. Hammonds instantly looked to use the breeze and drilled a 50-22 kick to give Stroud early territory. The line-out was disrupted by Tewkesbury and allowed them to clear however Stroud remained deep in the opposition half. Stokes and Baldwin secured decent percentage of their line-out ball from Voyce’s throws, despite the breezy conditions and early ball from Stokes gave Hammonds the opportunity to feed skipper Leworthy (playing out of position in the back row) to crash the ball up a give some early momentum. Looking to spread play away from the larger Tewkesbury pack, Ashenford fed Hammonds who found Dave Samak (on debut) on a short line to carry under the shadow of the posts. This passage of play did not result in a score but showed the attacking intent that Stroud were bringing to their game.

Tewkesbury looked to carry through their forwards but found the Stroud defensive line in stoic mood with veterans Phillips and Mark Samak to the fore and ably assisted by Fruin and Voyce in chopping down the significantly larger Tewkesbury carriers. Marsh and Dave Samak were also combative in the midfield where one tackle forced a loss of control in contact and the ball was well picked up by Marsh, who stepped away from one defender before releasing Dave Samak on the outside. The young centre showed a fine mix of power and pace to hand-off his opposite number before rounding the full-back to cruise in from 60m to open the scoring. Ashenford converted. 0-7.

The Stroud pack were able to hold their own in the scrum against the large Tewkesbury pack and give a platform for Ashenford and Hammonds to control the game. Hammonds regularly used the boot to excellent effect to drive Stroud into opposition territory. A loose Tewkesbury line-out was snaffled at the tail by Mark Samak before Ashenford sent Leworthy up on another strong carry. Bringing play back to the right, Ashenford found Mark Samak, who put Hammonds into space and allowed him to show his elusiveness and dance past three tacklers taking play into the 22. Quick ball allowed Ashenford to free the backs and excellent hands from Marsh and Dave Samak released Raath to crash over out wide. 0-12

Stroud were now really building in confidence with the forwards carrying well – Debieux with one surge took three tacklers with him before quick ball was again exploited by Hammonds, this time varying his kicking game with a chip through that was collected by Dave Samak, who made significant ground before finding the supporting Leworthy, who looked to be in only for an unfortunate stumble. Stroud however continued to apply pressure, which forced a penalty that was kicked by Ashenford. 0-15.

Stroud continued to play an expansive game with Baldwin’s secure take at the restart setting the platform for another wide move with Marsh and Dave Samak releasing Wilkes for a surge down the right wing. His inside pass didn’t quite go to hand but has hacked on by the supporting Ashenford, who was unlucky not to be able to ground the ball after outpacing the retreating Tewkesbury backs.

Tewkesbury themselves started to look to spread the ball wider and one attack was only stopped by an excellent covering tackle from Ashenford before the forwards did superbly to halt a Tewkesbury catch and drive - coming up with a fine turnover from Leworthy as Tewkesbury threatened to Stroud line for the only time in the half. Hammonds cleared from the resulting penalty however the line-out went astray. Looking to continue to be expansive a long wide pass, thrown from the midfield, was expertly picked off by Wilkes, who ran in from 70m under the posts. Ashenford converted. 0-22.

After 30 minutes, Flanagan entered the fray replacing Mark Samak and was immediately involved with his trade-mark chop tackling bringing down opponents much bigger than himself. Phillips as ever was ready to jackal and one turnover allowed Hammonds once again to find another magnificent 50-22 kick. Warner replaced Voyce with Fruin switching to hooker and his throw was well taken by Stokes. Leworthy carried hard into midfield before another Debieux surge sucked in more tacklers. Ashenford sniped before finding Marsh who released Dave Samak to power over in the corner. A superb touchline conversion from Ashenford capped an excellent first half performance. 0-29.

Half Time Tewkesbury 0 Stroud Rugby 29

Davey-Jawara replaced Marsh in the centre at the start of the second half as Stroud turned to play more into the breeze. Great early pressure at the kick-off from Fruin and Phillips forced an early penalty that Hammonds kicked to the corner. Baldwin took the throw and the drive looked set only to be brought back by the referee for a squint throw.

Using the wind, the Tewkesbury Fly-Half looked to kick for territory and a combination of this and powerful forward carrying took play deep into the Stroud half. Brave defence from Fruin and Dave Samak stopped the initial surges but eventually the pressure took its toll with Wilkes being penalised and yellow carded. From the resultant scrum, a massive surge from their Number 8 enabled the first home score of the afternoon. 5-29.

Far from being daunted by this, Stroud instantly pressurised the restart and Leworthy was unlucky not the gather. Warner and Debieux were getting through their share of tackling as well as shoring up the scrum.

The Tewkesbury Fly-Half again took advantage of the wind after a scrum reset that had nearly resulted in Ashenford scavenging a try after disruption at the base. Raath was always keen to run the ball back and set off to make significant ground up the right. Switching play with speed, Ashenford brought play back left with Hammonds and Marsh releasing Martin for a surge up the left. Taking play into the 22, the ball was well recycled for Hammonds to find Leworthy on a short line to crash through before evading the Full-Back to score. 5-34.

Baldwin secured another restart as Stroud once again looked to gain further control. Phillips and Leworthy continued to carry before Hammonds again used the boot to excellent effect to drive play up into Tewkesbury territory. The breeze and a penalty conceded at the breakdown allowed Tewkesbury an easy return into the Stroud 22. They drove the lineout and looked to work the blind-side before switching play. Another looped pass was well anticipated by Hammonds, who intercepted before showing his speed endurance to race 70m up field into the breeze to cross in the corner. 5-39.

This disappointment seemed to trigger Tewkesbury into action with their big carriers now running with greater intent. Flanagan, Davey-Jawara and Dave Samak showed bravery defending these surges whilst Ashenford was as combative as ever in his defensive work. Tewkesbury returned to their forward carrying game and a number of strong surges off their fly-half took play into the Stroud 22 before one final surge from their powerful Number 8 saw him crash over for his second try. Try Converted. 12-39.

With 15 minutes to go Voyce and Mark Samak returned in place of Phillips and Wilkes. Tewkesbury now had their tails up and with 10 minutes to go another try was scored, which bore huge resemblance to the previous try with powerful forward carries being halted but a series of pick and goes eventually resulting in a forward crashing over by the posts. Try Converted. 19-39.

The game was now becoming dis-jointed with a number of penalties being awarded to Tewkesbury, who now opted to tap and go. One quick tap from their scrum-half was nullified by an excellent tackle and turnover from Ashenford before Stroud again were penalised. Phillips returned to the field and was soon involved in some rear-guard action on his own line as Tewkesbury again pressurised. Debieux, Phillips and Mark Samak repelled the initial surges but once again the shear mass of the Tewkesbury forwards drove them over for a fourth try. 24-39.

Stroud were most definitely now on the back foot despite remaining in control of the scoreboard. They looked to slow the game down and see out the final few minutes. The forwards taking responsibility in controlling the ball and running down the clock. Tewkesbury had one final attack after Stroud where once again penalised however solid defence forced a turnover that was cleared to touch by Dave Samak to end the game.

Full Time Tewkesbury 24 Stroud Rugby 39

This was a superb overall performance against the league leaders. Despite conceding three tries in the final 20 minutes, the heart and effort was apparent throughout the full 80 minutes. The attacking intent and execution, particularly in the first half, was some of the finest of the season with the combination of forward cohesion and the fluency and flair of the backs linking to provide efficient, exciting rugby, which was again enjoyed by a sizeable travelling support. The introduction of youth in the past few weeks has energised the side even further and put them in good heart for their final four league games of the season.

Next Fixture: (Home) v Painswick – Friday 18th March Kick-Off 1930.