MATCH REPORT: Old Pats II's vs Stroud Rugby

Match report by Mark Samak
Old Pats 2nd XV 28 Stroud 22

Stroud made the trip to Old Pats with another much-changed squad. A cold wind and a significant slope on the pitch would play a part in an evenly contested, tough encounter, which saw both sides play some structured rugby in difficult conditions.

Stroud had the benefit of wind and slope in the first half and needed to make a quick start. This however was not the case with a number of penalties conceded giving Pats some easy territorial gains in the first 10 minutes. The Stroud defence was solid with Cremmins and Voyce getting through their early share of tackling whilst the Leworthy brothers were equally as secure when Pats spread the ball wider. Pats were well drilled with their forwards carrying well and the backs showing good handling skills in the conditions. One powerful forward burst broke the defensive line and an offload to a supporting runner spelled danger for Stroud but an excellent front on tackle from Hammonds, playing out of position at Full-Back stemmed the tide. The youngster was highly prominent in the game from early on - showing excellent grit in defence but also his confidence and pace in attack with a dummy and outside break taking play 40m up field. A 50-22 kick from Hammonds gave Stroud their first real attacking position and Baldwin secured possession despite the troublesome wind. Cremmins carried well before Marsh found Warner, to carry under the shadow of the posts. Just as Stroud were looking dangerous, mis-control at the breakdown allowed Pats to clear their lines. This frustration was a common theme in the first half with Stroud being unable to go through the phases and exert any real degree of control despite Baldwin and Warner carrying well. Warner was forced from the field after 25 minutes with Samak replacing him. This change resulted in Davies stepping up to the front row and performing admirably with Stroud continuing to secure their own scrum ball.

Pats again gained territory after some Stroud indiscipline at the breakdown and their lineout rumbled into the Stroud 22.
A big carry took play within 5m and was only stopped by brave work from Flanagan and Ashenford. Pats then opted for the power approach with a series of pick and drives close to the line. Combative work from Voyce, Samak and Cremmins repelled the initial threat and forced Pats to go wider. Sam Leworthy and Wilkes scrambled across to make a covering tackle but once again Pats went short and despite more excellent work this time from Baker and Dom Marsh, Pats crashed over to the right of the posts. Try Converted.

The second half was sure to be a real battle against the slope, wind and the scoreboard but Stroud’s performance was full of pride and desire to continue to make a real game of it. Playing with greater control, Stroud kept play tighter. Ashenford began to control the game, orchestrating forward drives with Voyce, Baldwin and Samak prominent in the carrying. Pats defence was secure and often forced Stroud to attempt to kick their way out of their half. Their Full-Back was always keen to run the ball back and used his pace and elusive running style to make good ground before the forwards again took over, carrying the ball into the 22. Spreading the ball wide, their outside centre cut an excellent line and scythed through to score. Try converted.

Stroud heads refused to drop and put Pats back under pressure from the re-start. Flanagan and his trademark chop tackling were getting a thorough work out and he was ably supported by his back-row colleagues. Baker and Voyce keeping Pats pinned in their own half. Pats were always however able to resort to the clearance kick and use the wind to relieve pressure. Hammonds continued to always look to counter attack and another outside break and kick ahead pushed Stroud up into the Pats 22. Although the lineout wasn’t secured, Samak snaffled the loose ball and allowed Ashenford to release Cremmins and then Voyce to carry within 5m. A penalty at the breakdown was kept in hand and saw Ashenford feed Sam Leworthy for the skipper to crash over in the corner.

The wind continued to play a significant role as Pats this time benefitted from a penalty into the Stroud 22 from their own half and a well-executed catch and drive extended their lead. Try converted.

Stroud however continued to push on and really upped the pace of the game, Ashenford and Jake Marsh looked sharp around the rucks and took a number of quick penalties to turn the Pats defence. A Cremmins carry forced another penalty and a quick tap and burst from Marsh ended with a well-weighted kick ahead – to which Ashenford reacted first and showed his acceleration to beat the covering defence to ground in the corner. (Just after this, Stroud scored again however a full description of this is unavailable).

Warner returned to the field to replace Samak and was soon in the thick of the action with a bullocking run up the middle from Marsh’s pass before Jamie Leworthy carried strongly to continue the attack. With Pats now on the back foot, Stroud continued to up the tempo and the next try showed outstanding individual skill from man of the match Ashenford. Sniping as only he can, the scrum-half beat 2 or 3 tacklers with his speed off the mark before an outrageous side-step that would have beaten a player in a telephone box took him past the last tackler, allowing him to cross by the posts before converting his own try.

Baldwin, who had an excellent all-round game, secured the restart and Stroud looked to have one last attack. The forwards carried but an unfortunate penalty at the breakdown allowed Pats to once again kick deep into the 22 and control their catch and drive before a forward peeled off to crash over for the final try of the afternoon. Try Converted.

Not taking advantage of the slope and wind in the first half would eventually prove crucial in the outcome of this game. If the intensity and greater control exhibited in the second half had been present in the first period, the result could well have gone the other way. Positives should be taken from the second 40 minutes but now these need to be transferred into an 80-minute performance as Stroud return to Fromehall Park next Saturday (19/2) for a local derby v Painswick.