MATCH REPORT: NORTON RFC VS STROUD RUGBY

MATCH REPORT BY MARK SAMAK

Stroud made their first ever visit to Norton and produced one of their best performances of the season to come away with a well-deserved victory.

Again, as with last week, the first 10 minutes set the tone for the afternoon with Baldwin securing the kick-off before Stroud began patiently going through their phases. Debieux and Cremmins were in the action immediately with powerful carries whilst Phillips and Baker were making inroads and offloading well in the tackle to allow Stroud to gain early momentum. Marsh used the slope wisely to pin Norton back and an error in the backfield allowed Stroud to regain possession. A carry from Thomas, on debut, drew in defenders before Ashenford and Marsh switched play back to the left and found Wilkes out wide to dive in at the corner. Ashenford converted from the touchline. 0-7.

Stroud continued their dominance of territory and possession with Ashenford and Marsh being prominent with both their distribution and their kicking. Stroud were living in the opposition territory, making regular dents in the defensive line with Debieux, Thomas and Cremmins making significant yardage up the middle whilst Baldwin and Leworthy were making gains in wider channels. Stroud were unable to cross the line during this period but were in complete control: Debieux, Voyce and Thomas in the front row gave a much more solid platform in the scrum than had been seen in a number of weeks while Stokes and Baldwin were highly efficient in the lineout, consistently giving quality possession. One line out win from Baldwin allowed Marsh to hit Leworthy on a hard line to carry into the 22 – quick ball once more saw Debieux on the charge and this forward momentum forced a penalty at the breakdown. Ashenford calmly slotted the points to extend the lead. 0-10.

Stokes this time secured the restart before some slight of hand from Phillips freed Cremmins for a powerful surge up the middle, on his return from an enforced 10 minutes on the side-line. Thomas again offered himself as a willing carrier and continued the drive. Ashenford and Marsh this time spread play wider freeing Bushall to find Raath, who showed a great step and power to cut inside to take play within 5m of the line. Once again, Norton transgressed at the ruck and there was no hesitancy in the decision to again keep the scoreboard ticking over as Ashenford knocked over another three points. 0-13.

Norton were struggling to gain any territory through their carriers as Stroud’s defence was solid. When they opted to kick, they found Collins in confident mood as always to bring the attack straight back to the opposition. With his uncanny knack of always beating the first two tacklers, his speed and swerve took play back up to halfway and he set a target for his forwards. Debieux once again powered on and linked well with Baker to break the first line of defence. The momentum caught the Norton defensive line offside and earned another penalty. This time the kick drifted inches wide but Stroud were not to be denied for long despite some close calls.

Firstly, a well-timed pass from Marsh appeared to have sent Phillips storming through but he was pulled back as the pass was adjudged forward. Minutes later another Leworthy burst after combining with Bushall pushed Stroud towards the 22. Raath was in acres of space on the right however the cross-kick aimed for him did not quite hit its intended target (those present will I’m sure give varying versions of accuracy of this kick!!) Pressure at the scrummage forced a hurried Norton clearance that Collins once again returned with interest. Quick ball and a disjointed defensive line were exploited by Phillips with a sublime show and go to break through a gap before a well-timed pass allowed Cremmins to show his power and pace on the outside to surge over in the corner. 0-18.

Half Time Norton 0 Stroud 18

Stroud knew that this game was far from over as the home side now had the benefit of the considerable slope. Discipline and connection in defence was going to be key as Norton began the second half on the front foot. First up tackling was sound and the harrying skills of both Ashenford and Marsh around the breakdown regularly sent the opposition half-backs backwards. Stroud opted for a pragmatic approach to attacking up the hill with Debieux and Thomas getting through a huge amount of work in the loose whilst Phillips and Cremmins always seemed to win the collision when carrying wider. Bushall used all his experience to kick deep upfield to relieve the pressure and an excellent kick chase from Raath and Leworthy forced errors that would eventually lead to another straightforward three points from the boot of Ashenford. 0-21.
To their credit, Norton continued to press down the slope and forced a rare handling mistake, which gave them a platform inside the 22 for the first time. Highly committed defence led by Phillips and Cremmins up front repelled some short-range pick and goes however an untimely slip in the scrum allowed the Norton pack to gain the ascendancy and force Stroud into conceding a penalty try. 7-21.

The next score was indeed crucial and Norton had the momentum with some strong carrying up the middle. Stroud’s defence held firm despite so positional changes with Baker switching to centre as Wheeler replaced Bushall. Norton looked to move the ball wider however superb anticipation by Wilkes enabled him to make an interception and take the ball upfield. The forwards took over and the two props once again proved their worth in the loose. A typical Ashenford snipe was well tracked by Wilkes, who drove on towards the posts before releasing Leworthy to crash over. Ashenford added the extras to extend the lead once more. 7-28.

Stroud now pushed for the bonus point score, beginning to spread play wider more regularly. Wilkes again was prominent in an attack up the left combining well with Collins to push play up into the 22. Marshall replaced Stokes in the second row and gave renewed momentum to the scrummage, which pushed the home pack back towards their line. Cremmins picked and was held up only a metre short before the rest of the forwards took control of the pick and drives. With defenders dragged in, Ashenford spread the ball to Marsh, who well-weighted miss-pass found Raath surging up the wing to crash over in the corner. Unfortunately, a foot in touch and the touch-judge’s flag curtailed the celebrations of the fourth try.

Full Time Norton 7 Stroud 28

This was an excellent performance right the way through the team however the control achieved from a far more solid and efficient set-piece should not be under estimated.

Stroud now need to look to build on this in the weeks to come and take huge confidence that they can play controlled rugby throughout a game, achieve success and not solely rely on individual moments of brilliance to win games. Each and every player should be proud of their efforts and look forward to the next challenge of Cheltenham United at Home on Friday night (28/01) KO 1930.