MATCH REPORT: Stroud Rugby vs Tewkesbury RFC

Match Report by Mark Samak:

Stroud were back at Fromehall after a month and welcomed Tewkesbury, who were on a good run of form in the league. A dry afternoon and an excellent pitch for the time of year would hopefully set up an exciting afternoon’s rugby.

Stroud secured the kick off but found it hard to make ground against a strong Tewkesbury defence and were forced to kick. Tewkesbury dominated early possession and territory with their sizable forward pack exerting dominance in the scrum and in breaking the advantage line when carrying. They were backed up by their inside centre, who carried strongly all afternoon but was well marshalled by Bushell and Leworthy. Despite brave defence, notably from Ashenford, Phillips and Cremmins close in and Collins and Davies when the ball went wider, Tewkesbury continued to press. Even when errors were forced, the Stroud scrummage was under pressure and remained camped in their own 22. Eventually, the pressure told and Tewkesbury were awarded a penalty try as the scrummage surged towards the Stroud line. 0-7.

Stroud were starved of possession in the first 20 minutes and were living of scraps however ambition was always in evidence as they looked to move the ball at every opportunity. Marsh spread the play to Leworthy, who released Bonham for a powerful burst up the left wing. For the first time Stroud were able to string some phases together with Debieux, Voyce and Cremmins carrying strongly. This forward momentum allowed Marsh to hit Leworthy on a hard line and the skipper showed his strength to surge over. Ashenford converted. 7-7.

The line-out supplied Stroud with some possession; although often not cleanly, Stokes and Baldwin won their share of possession. The scrum however continued to be a major cause for concern with Cremmins working hard to secure the ball despite going backwards whilst a number of penalties were conceded due to the pressure. From one such penalty, Tewkesbury kicked to the corner and set up a driving maul. Fine defensive work stopped the initial surge and the line remained intact with Voyce and Ashenford to the fore in the defensive effort. The pressure finally told as the heavier Tewkesbury pack forced their way over out wide from close range. Try Converted. 7-14.

Unfortunately, Ashenford had to leave the field after suffering a blood injury in the defensive effort. Higgins entered the fray as Marsh and Baker repositioned in the backline. It was crucial that Stroud gained the next score and moments before half-time, Voyce took a scrum against the head with a quick strike and quick ball from Marsh, allowed Bushell to show his vision and experience with a well-weighted kick into the corner. Bonham showed a fantastic turn of pace on the wing to out pace his opposite number and ground the ball in the corner. 12-14.

A patched up Ashenford returned for the start of the second half and was soon influential in the game with his sniping darts around the base and his energetic support lines. Leworthy was carrying strongly as usual and Cremmins was becoming more prominent in the close quarters. The scrum was still under pressure but Stroud certainly were gaining a greater percentage of possession. The backs handling was secure as Stroud pressed into the Tewkesbury half – the ball going wide to Baker, who put an intelligent kick up the left wing for Bonham to again pressurise the defence. Tewkesbury were in no mood to lie down and still looked dangerous with their two main carriers still causing Stroud problems. One strong carry from their Number 8 allowed quick ball that their three-quarters used well to free their left wing to scoot in at the corner. 12-19.

With 20 minutes to go, Stroud did not let their heads drop, forward carries from Phiilips, Higgins and Debieux took play into the Tewkesbury half before Marsh found Cremmins running a great line and the Number 8 showed power and pace to break through 3 tackles before being felled under the shadow of the posts. Close range pick and drives sucked in defenders before the ball went wide from Marsh. A delayed pass from Bushell drew the last defender and freed Leworthy to cross in the corner. A superb conversion from Ashenford levelled the scores. 19-19.

Buoyed by this, Stroud now really pushed on in attack. Wider forward carries of Marsh were making a greater impact. Collins was entering the backline with significant effect and regularly made significant ground with his elusive running style. Flanagan replaced Davies on the wing and himself made a 30m burst into the Tewkesbury half, which earned penalty that Marsh kicked to the corner. Voyce found Higgins and although the drive was stopped, Stroud had a bit of control for the first time in the game. Cremmins and Baker carried before Ashenford and Marsh switched play to free Leworthy to power over from 10m dragging a number of tacklers over with him. Ashenford Converted. 26-19.

Now in the ascendancy, Stroud looked to use their wider running style to push on further. Another sinuous run from Collins returned a Tewkesbury kick up to half way before Marsh accelerated through a gap to really turn the defence. He found the ever-willing Ashenford supporting and released the scrum-half to appear to cross in the corner. However, the try was strangely disallowed, much to the disappointment of the home support. Pressure at the ensuing scrum allowed Tewkesbury to clear and work their way up field with a mixture of more powerful carries and Stroud indiscipline.

A number of penalties eventually resulted in a yellow card and pushed Stroud back into their own 22. To their credit, Tewkesbury went through multiple phases and despite brave defence from Davies and Phillips pressed towards the Stroud line. Their patience wad rewarded as Stroud defenders were pulled in before Tewkesbury’s backs took advantage of the numerical advantage to cross. A calmly slotted conversion again levelled the scores with the last kick of the game. 26-26.

Full Time:
Stroud Rugby: 26
Tewkesbury RFC: 26

Despite the final result not going Stroud’s way there were plenty of positives – with the attacking intent, handling and support being excellent. The forwards showed a great deal of grit in the face of a much bigger pack and although work needs to be done on the set-piece they did exceptionally well to retain possession and give some momentum for the backs to use – particularly in the second half. In a game that could actually have gone either way, Stroud continue to learn the levels they need to find to continue to be threat a threat towards the top of the league. Another tough game awaits next week 11/12/21 as we travel to Bredon Star (GL20 7QN) before hosting the league leaders, Cheltenham Civil Service a week later.