MATCH REPORT: STROUD RUGBY VS CHELTENHAM CIVIL SERVICE RFC

Match Report by Mark Samak

Stroud Rugby 34 Cheltenham Civil Service 12

Stroud were keen to get back in action after weather forced the postponement of last week’s game. Cheltenham Civil Service were challenging at the top of the league and were certain to provide a tough test on a sunny but breezy afternoon at Fromehall Park.

An unforced error from the kick-off gave CCS some early possession and territory. They immediately showed their intent by sending their big runners up first out from the breakdown. Stroud’s defence was solid in these narrow areas with Phillips and Davies noticeable in the early skirmishes, chopping low and stopping carriers at source. The constant barrage eventually gained rewards with their sizeable Number 8 barging over in the corner. 0-5.

CCS continued their positive start with their Full Back breaking through several tackles from a kick return. His progress was stopped by an excellent tackle from Collins, which forced a turnover. Voyce and Leworthy gained some hard yards with close carries before Ashenford and Marsh released Debieux for a bullocking charge- taking three tacklers to bring him down. Alert as ever, Ashenford sensed a gap close to the ruck and a dummy, snipe and burst of acceleration put the scrumhalf in the clear. He found Marsh in close support, whose well-timed pass took out the full back and gave Collins a free run in, under the posts. Hammonds Converted. 7-5.

The scrummage was always going to be a well-contested area with CCS having a strong front row and Stroud again having to make changes in this area. Davies stepped in at Prop and gave a tenacious display, allowing Stroud to secure their own ball despite being under pressure from a much heavier pack. An excellent bit of work from Cremmins at the base freed Ashenford, who found Collins steaming into the line. An outside break and inside step took him beyond three tacklers before being dragged down metres short when he seemed destined to score again. Stroud were unable to convert this pressure into points but were beginning to get into their stride. Baldwin and Voyce were carrying well before quick hands from Marsh and Hammonds gave Stokes the opportunity for a surge up the left. Again, this pressure would come to nothing, but confidence was building within the home ranks. Controlled forward carries from Voyce and Wheeler set the platform for Hammonds to spot an opportunity to switch play and a blind-side break and pass to Wilkes could well have set up a score but the pass was knocked down by the CCS winger, which earned him a yellow card and gave Hammonds the opportunity to push play into the 22. The youngster however took a quick tap to Debieux, who took play on and created the necessary momentum to give Ashenford quick ball to release Hammonds. Attacking the defence with the ball in both hands, a terrific show and go drew in two tacklers before a sublime offload out of the back of the hand found the supporting Leworthy to cross by the posts. Hammonds converted. 14-5.

Hammonds was soon back in the action, kicking a penalty into the CCS half and giving Stroud another attacking opportunity – CCS transgressed at the lineout and the half backs again showed their quick thinking and attacking intent with Ashenford this time taking a quick tap. Excellent support and handling from Baldwin and Wilkes to free Hammonds, who drew the last defender before finding Voyce to crash over in the corner. 19-5.

Stroud conceded a penalty, which gave CCS their first real incursion into the home 22 since the first 10 minutes. Their battering-ram plan close to the ruck applied continued pressure on the Stroud line however excellent defensive work from Marsh and Leworthy forced an error and enabled Hammonds to clear the danger. When CCS did look to go wide Stroud’s backline defence was more than a match and often forced handling errors.

Half Time Stroud Rugby 19 Cheltenham Civil Service 5

CCS started the second half again building through their close-range carries. Phillips and Cremmins were at the heart of the defensive effort but were ably supported by Baldwin and Toon (who had replaced Wheeler). On the wing, Bonham also proved to be secure in the tackle but also offered an increased attacking threat – linking well with Leworthy before making significant yardage up the right wing before his inside ball fell agonisingly behind the supporting Marsh.
The backs were always looking to spread the ball wide and always looked dangerous. CCS also began to spread play wider, but this was to prove their undoing as a handling error was pounced upon by Leworthy, who surged up the left wing – carrying the ball into the 22. A quick ruck put the ball on a plate for Ashenford, who found Hammonds again exploiting the narrow side to cross in the corner. 24-5.

Stroud were unfortunately reduced to 14 men shortly after with Baldwin being yellow carded. This however did not halt Stroud’s progress.

Although CCS began to apply pressure - excellent covering tackling from Collins and Davey-Jawara (on for Marsh) stopped two CCS wide attacks before Stroud were able to release the pressure with a trade-mark direct carry from Leworthy. Sensing space Hammonds again sneaked around the blindside, outstripping the cover before kicking ahead into the 22.

Baldwin and Stokes were winning their share of lineout ball despite the troublesome breeze to allow Cremmins to regularly carry powerfully into the heart of the CCS defence. The backs again freed Bonham, who was forced out after surging into the 22. CCS looked to carry their way forward but continued to find the Stroud defence in defiant mood – Davies, Davey-Jawara and Phillips notable in their defensive work. One Phillips hit forced spilled ball, which was secured by Toon before Ashenford found Leworthy on an outside arcing run surging through the gap, the skipper powered over from 30m before being replaced by Martin. 29-5.

To their credit, CCS did not lie down, and their sizeable forward carriers kept battering away at the home defence. Stroud were again reduced to 14 with Cremmins receiving a yellow-card at the breakdown. Fantastic work from Voyce and Bonham on the blindside repelled a driving lineout however CCS recycled the ball well, sucking in defenders before their centre crashed over by the posts. Try converted. 29-12.

From the restart, Stroud defensive press was prominent with Davey-Jawara and Baldwin showing the benefit of excellent line speed to deny the opposition any yardage gains. Phillips as ever was disruptive at the breakdown and forced a penalty that Hammonds narrowly pulled wide. It was however knocked dead by CCS and awarded Stroud a 5m scrum. Solid work from Davies and Debieux in the front row secured ball for Ashenford to feed Hammonds, once again attacking the blindside before freeing Toon to cross in the corner for the final score of the afternoon. 34-12.

Full Time Stroud Rugby 34 Cheltenham Civil Service 12

Watch match highlights HERE

Given the slow start, this was an excellent all-round performance by Stroud. Competitive and determined up front whilst being confident and creative in the backs. In perhaps the best performance of the season so far this young team appear to grow week by week and should now relish the challenge of the last 5 league games and a positive end to the season. With a week off next week, it give the lads 4 training sessions to build towards another tough challenge when they face league leaders, Tewkesbury (Away) on Saturday 12th March KO 1430.