MATCH REPORT: Cheltenham Tigers IIs Away

Match Report by Mark Samak

Stroud looked to continue their unbeaten start in the league with the much-anticipated trip to Cheltenham. A cool but dry evening and the perfect AGP surface set the back drop for an outstanding game of rugby, which kept the sizeable crowd entertained for the full 80 minutes.
Stroud started with a touch of hesitancy against a sizable Cheltenham pack, who controlled the early stages with powerful carries and apparent early dominance in the scrum. The defence held firm but an infringement at the breakdown allowed Cheltenham to take an early lead with a simple penalty. 3-0.

This was not the first slow start Stroud had experienced this season and their response was immediate. Excellent defence from Phillips and Fruin stemmed the flow of Cheltenham carriers before an excellent turnover from Rodway finally gave Stroud some possession and an opportunity to show their attacking intent. Cremmins continued his excellent recent form with a powerful surge before Rodway broke through the advantage line to allow Ashenford and Marsh to spread play to Sam Leworthy, who made excellent ground in combination with Taylor. Close quarter surges from Harry D and Voyce set the platform for Ashenford to snipe and hit Cremmins on a hard line to crash over, dragging two or three defenders with him. 3-5.

The end to end nature of this game started early as Cheltenham spent the next 10 minutes camped in the Stroud 22 after a sequence of penalties. Cheltenham had a number of opportunities to cross out wide however handling errors denied them on a number of occasions. Their pressure however soon paid dividends with a series of carries from their forwards eventually resulting in a try close to the posts, which was converted. 10-5.
At this point, the game could easily have got away from Stroud with Cheltenham’s forwards making good ground and the scrum applying pressure at every opportunity. Stroud however were not phased and showed ambition to take the attack back to Cheltenham. Toon was coming into the line effectively and one surge freed Taylor to make significant ground up the right wing. Ashenford’s swift distribution coupled with his ability to find gaps close to the ruck were at the core of many attacks. His outstanding defence should not go without mention as in defence he regularly appeared to be performing the role of a fourth back row player. One snipe and an offload to Fruin enabled Stroud to get on the front foot before good hands from Marsh released Sam Leworthy to rampage up the left wing. Drawing in two tacklers, he found the supporting Smith in close attendance. What followed was an incredible burst of acceleration and speed from the winger that took him away from the covering defence to cruise in and around under the posts. Ashenford converted. 10-12.

Cheltenham were straight back into the game forcing an error with a quick rush defence. Continuing to use their forward carriers they pushed into the Stroud 22 but were met by combative defence by the back-row trio of Fruin, Phillips and Cremmins. The Leworthy brothers were equally as effective at stopping any wider surges however after a number of phases good handling allowed Cheltenham to cross out wide. The unerring boot of the Cheltenham kicker added the extras. 17-12.

With the scrummage now much more secure and the lineout functioning well with Voyce finding Clark and Phillips consistently Stroud began to go through the phases. Jamie Leworthy together with brother Sam were getting through their share of carrying as well as showing their defensive prowess. One carry from Jamie took play up to half-way. Wheeler continued the momentum before Ashenford and Marsh spread play left for Sam Leworthy to draw in multiple tacklers and again put Smith into space. In a carbon copy of his previous incursion into Cheltenham territory, the winger seemed to effortlessly glide past his opposite number before cutting back past the Full Back to score once again under the posts. Ashenford converted to end a breathless first half. 17-19.

Half Time​
Cheltenham 2nd XV - ​17
​​Stroud Rugby​ - 19

Harry Mc replaced Wheeler and was soon into the action with a powerful surge picking an excellent line off Marsh. Further carries from Clark and Fruin took play into the Cheltenham 22, where, alert as ever, Ashenford spotted a gap and darted through leaving the defence trailing in his wake to cross by the posts – he converted his own try. 17-26.

This was the time for Stroud to take control however indiscipline around the tackle area cost them as the Cheltenham kicker punished them with two well taken penalties within minutes of each other. 23-26.

The pressure was now really on and with the home crowd now really getting behind their side momentum was shifting. As in many games, opportunism can often be the difference and this proved to be the case after excellent defensive work from Jamie Leworthy and Fruin, who was outstanding in all facets of the game, forced a handling error that was seized upon by Marsh, who showed the quality of his footballing skills, kicking the ball ahead from half way and benefitting from a favourable bounce to cruise in by the posts. Ashenford converted. 23-33.
In a fluctuating game the next score was always going to be crucial and Stroud finally gave themselves some breathing space with an excellent team try. Voyce found Clark from a lineout just inside the Cheltenham half. Fruin once again carried strongly and received support from Rodway to drive him through the tackle.

Cremmins continued the attack with a typical barnstorming surge before Ashenford fed Toon, who showed excellent distribution to release Sam Leworthy to storm deep into the 22 before offloading to Taylor. The right-winger showed his strength by driving through the last tackle to crash over in the corner. 23-38.

This was Taylor’s last action as he was replaced by Davey-Jawara on the wing. Stroud now looked to control the game with Phillips, Fruin, and HarryD all continuing to carry strongly. Cheltenham however refused to lie down and a rare error in contact allowed them to gain the initiative. Their forwards continued to batter away but found no joy with Voyce and Cremmins joining Phillips and Fruin in making a number of dominant tackles.

Despite excellent commitment in defence, efficient handling allowed Cheltenham to cross in the corner. The metronomic kicker continued his 100% evening reducing the deficit to 30-38 with 15 minutes to go.

Phillips, who again put in an outstanding shift, left the field after a head knock and was replaced by fellow veteran Samak. Scrummages were now uncontested due to injuries sustained in the Cheltenham front row but this only sped the game up even more. Looking to attack from deep, Cheltenham carried hard but excellent work from Jamie Leworthy, Fruin and Samak held the player up and forced a turnover. From the ensuing scrum, a surge from Cremmins forced a penalty. A long-range effort from Ashenford fell short but kept Cheltenham pinned deep in their own 22. Forced to run the ball out, Cheltenham again found the Stroud defensive line secure and turned the ball over. A well -timed incursion into the back line from Toon, allowed him to latch on to Marsh’s pass and glide through the Cheltenham defence. As the cover defence came across, an astute chip ahead was expertly gathered by Marsh, who crossed the line to the delight of all those in blue and white. 30-43.

Two minutes left and Stroud now had only to see out the game. A secure take and surge from Man of The Match Fruin set the platform for the forwards to take control with a series of pick and goes to run the clock down. Rodway, Voyce, Harry D and Samak secured possession and the call of time eventually came from the referee to allow Marsh to kick the ball out of play and end a thoroughly pulsating 80 minutes of rugby.

Full Time​
Cheltenham 2nd XV -​30​​
Stroud Rugby - ​43

This was an outstanding advert for rugby at this level, with both sides showing commitment, intent and skill to produce a hugely entertaining 80 minutes. Stroud continue to develop and showed huge resilience to eventually take control of a game that could have got away from them. The grittiness of the defence, limiting the opposition to only 3 tries, should not be underestimated but the attacking intent of forwards and backs in unison was particularly impressive. To a man everyone of those 18 players, who took the field should be hugely proud of themselves. Thanks, must go to Cheltenham for their hospitality and we look forward to their visit in January. Finally but crucially, special thanks to the sizeable contingent of Stroud supporters, who travelled across and contributed massively to the occasion – your support is hugely valued by all the players.

Included in a number of outstanding performances, club stalwart Phil Fruin was deservedly Man of the Match – leading by example in both defence and attack and playing through the last 20 minutes despite receiving regular on field physio treatment.

This was indeed a great challenge for Stroud and the challenge will continue next Saturday when Old Patesians 2nd XV visit Fromehall for a top of the table clash.