MATCH REPORT: STROUD RUGBY VS CHELTENHAM TIGERS II’s

Fromehall Park under lights is always a special occasion and last Friday was certainly no exception. The terraces were packed, the pitch was in great condition and the home side had just come off a solid performance on the road. Cheltenham of course were looking to avenge the Stroud win achieved back in October.

With regular fly-half Jake Marsh unavailable with illness, Will Hammonds took the field to make his senior debut. The first phases would showcase the potential and excitement that this young talent has to offer. Baldwin, building in confidence each game, secured the kick- off despite intense Cheltenham pressure. Ashenford directed strong forward carries from Voyce and Debieux before spreading play to Hammonds. A beautifully weighted pass allowed Toon to burst into the line, step inside and crash up the middle over halfway. Excellent clear-out work enabled quick ball and Hammonds distribution this time found Leworthy, who combined with Wilkes to make great ground up the left. Cremmins and Fruin continued the momentum before Ashenford found Hammonds. With the defence drifting, anticipating another wide ball, Hammonds spotted the gap, showed tremendous acceleration before rounding the fullback to score a fine individual try to the right of the posts. Ashenford converted. 7-0.

Stokes regained the restart as Stroud continued to show the patience and control that had been prevalent in their game over the last few weeks. Ashenford controlled the pace of the game as Phillips and Cremmins carried strongly as ever as Stroud pushed up towards halfway. An unfortunate loss of control at the breakdown turned the ball over and gave Cheltenham their first attacking opportunity. Fruin and Phillips were prominent in the early tackle count while the line speed of Bushall, Leworthy and Baker made it difficult for Cheltenham to make any significant ground in wider channels. One defensive press forced Cheltenham back however over eagerness at the ruck conceded a penalty, which Cheltenham kicked deep into the home 22. An efficient catch and drive rumbled forward and took play with 5m before a series of close-range pick and goes resulted in a close-range score. Try converted. 7-7.

Stroud’s reaction to this was excellent as Baldwin pressurised at the restart forcing a loss of ground and a Cheltenham clearance. Toon, in typical fashion, returned strongly before Hammonds combined with Leworthy to release Raath for a surge up the right wing. Again, the expansive outlook of the backs had taken play towards the Cheltenham 22. Voyce and Debieux ran strongly off Ashenford before Leworthy cut a hard line off Hammonds pass to make a half break. Cheltenham were caught offside at the ruck and Ashenford calmly gave Stroud the lead again. 10-7.

Once again, Stroud’s defence was excellent – with excellent line speed and connection really suffocating Cheltenham’s attacking intentions. They were however extremely dangerous in broken play with their Full Back particularly elusive on a number of kick returns. Stroud’s scrambling defence snuffed out these attacks and the work of Cremmins and Phillips over the ball forced a number of turnovers. Stroud had shown the expansive nature of their game but also showed their pragmatism with Hammonds kicking game resulting in territorial gains as the half pushed on.

The scrummage is still a work in progress but secured solid ball the majority of the time, whilst Stokes and Baldwin continued the development in the line-out securing Voyce’s throw with increasing regularity. Stroud’s speed at the breakdown forced a number of penalties, one of which Hammonds kicked just inside the 22. Baldwin took the ball off the top, allowing Cremmins to crash up the middle. Close range carries from Baker and Fruin took play with 5m before Ashenford’s speed of thought spotted a gap but unfortunately the offload was spilled as the line beckoned.

Stroud were not to be denied for long. Toon and Wilkes combined to return a clearance kick – set a target for the forwards before Cremmins again broke through the first tackle. Cheltenham were again penalised at the ruck and Ashenford extended the lead. 13-7.

Half Time Stroud Rugby 13 Cheltenham 2nd XV 7

Stroud had the advantage of the breeze in the second half and Hammonds and Bushall both kicked intelligently, gaining territory, as Stroud had trust in their defensive line, pinning Cheltenham back in their own 22. Cheltenham looked to show adventure from deep however Leworthy, Wilkes and Raath covered well as the ball went wider. Forced to kick, Cheltenham cleared their lines but found Raath in determined mood as the winger showed both strength and evasion to make 30m up the right. Working the phases, Phillips and Debieux continued the momentum before another Ashenford snipe from close to the ruck, split the Cheltenham defence. He was well tackled by the Full-Back however found Fruin steaming up on his shoulder and a timely offload this time went to hand as he crashed over out wide. 18-7.

Wheeler and Jamie Leworthy replaced Baker and Bushall as Stroud continued to control the game. Hammonds kicking game was prominent as Stroud pressed the opposition back. One excellent chase from Leworthy and Wilkes forced a penalty but the kick drifted wide. Debieux, Voyce and Cremmins continued to carry strongly, whilst Phillips and Fruin were constantly disrupting the Cheltenham ball with the speed and tenacity at the breakdown.

Cheltenham continued to press as the final 10 minutes approached and gained a numerical advantage as Raath was yellow carded for a seemingly innocuous incident. Davey-Jawara replaced Wilkes and was quickly in the action with a timely tackle as Cheltenham spread the play wide. Ashenford was always in the action in defence as well as attack harrying successfully around the base of the ruck stopping any great momentum from Cheltenham. A number of penalties gave Cheltenham a foothold in the Stroud 22 however they found the home defence resolute with the home forwards in particular meeting every carry with increasing speed and physicality. Cremmins and Phillips with support from Fruin and Baldwin drove one carrier back 5m to relieve any great pressure. Eventually, Stroud were forced into conceding a penalty, however the quick tap was adjudged forward and the resulting scrum allowed Ashenford to secure the ball and kick to touch to end the game to a huge ovation from the home support.

Full Time Stroud Rugby 18 Cheltenham 2nd XV 7

This was another solid performance from Stroud, which again was built upon secure defence and the patient controlling of possession in attack. Stroud continue to grow in confidence and week by week show increased cohesion in their play. It was great to see the terraces full and creating a cracking atmosphere for this highly competitive game.

Man of the Match – Zinzan Cremmins

A special mention to Will Hammonds for a hugely mature performance on his debut and treading the path that hopefully a number of other Colts will follow later this season.

Next Fixture: Home v Cheltenham Civil Service Saturday 5th February KO 1430.