MATCH REPORT: Stroud Rugby vs Norton RFC

Match Report by Mark Samak

Stroud were back in league action with Norton the visitors to Fromehall. With both sides having had positive starts to the season, a close encounter was in prospect and the 80 minutes that followed backed this up.

Before the game, a minute’s silence for J.V Smith was impeccably upheld.

Stroud were immediately on the back foot with Norton exerting pressure at the breakdown and forcing an early penalty despite Stroud securing possession. A kick into the 22 and an accurate lineout set up the first test for the Stroud defence but led by the ever-combative Phillips, the home side repelled a number of forward surges whilst Toon and Leworthy were secure when Norton spread the ball wider. Eventually, the pressure did tell as Stroud encroached offside and awarded the Norton kicker the easiest of opportunities to open the scoring. 0-3.

The early set back sparked Stroud into an immediate response with solid work in the tackle from Voyce and Phillips forcing an error. The Stroud scrum was solid throughout with Warner, Voyce and Rodway providing a real platform and the pack were able to disrupt Norton ball on a number of occasions. Norton’s defence was solid as Stroud looked to spread the ball wider but gain line success came with the first of many powerful carries from Cremmins, who broke the first line of defence. Ashenford and Marsh provided swift distribution to Leworthy, who found Stokes in the wider channels. The second row showed a good turn of pace and was driven on in contact by second row partner, Samak, to drive within a metre. Accuracy at the breakdown, allowed Voyce to pick and drive over the line wide on the right. 5-3.

Stroud began to work through the phases but lacked the go forward of previous weeks with Norton’s first up tackling strong and competition at the breakdown slowed the ball, which disrupted Stroud’s momentum. However, on one occasion Norton transgressed at the breakdown around halfway and allowed Marsh to find touch 30m out. Voyce found Stokes and the pack set up the drive. A huge surge allowed Stroud to splinter the Norton defence before Samak and Baker controlled the ball at the back. Baker finally crashed over the line to complete a massive forward effort. Ashenford converted. 12-3.

The final 15 minutes of the first half saw Norton camped in the Stroud 22 after a number of penalties conceded by the home side. Norton looked certain to cross after imaginative work at the front of the lineout pushed play within metres. Excellent work from Warner and Voyce, on the blindside, kept the line intact. Stroud continued to hold out with Phillips, Cremmins and Stokes all getting through their share of tackles. Norton however would not lie down and a number of close-range pick and goes sucked the Stroud defence in before efficient handling freed their winger to cross in the corner. 12-8.

Half Time Stroud 12 Norton 8

Harry D and Wheeler replaced Warner and Samak and were soon in the game as Stroud upped their carrying game in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Beginning to make greater use of the offload, the forwards were able to make greater ground and began to break the advantage line more regularly. Phillips and Cremmins led the carry count and were well backed up by Rodway and Harry D, as the pack began to provide greater momentum. Great hands from Phillips in contact found Baker running a great support line and the flanker crashed through the defensive line to surge the towards 22. Quick clear-out work from Rodway and Wheeler put the ball on a plate for Ashenford to spread play to Marsh. A well-timed pass from the fly-half found Cremmins hitting a great line to storm through the defensive line before beating the full-back to crash over by the posts. Ashenford Converted. 19-8.

Stroud’s confidence was now building and the game was being played almost exclusively in the Norton half. Davies replaced Baker and regularly linked play as Cremmins, Phillips and Captain Leworthy continued to carry strongly. Marsh and Toon combined with the centre taking an inside line and driving into the 22. Warner, who had returned to the field, continued the momentum with a trademark bullocking run before Ashenford and Marsh found Leworthy, whose well-timed pass released Voyce on the left wing and the hooker cruised in for his second try. 24-8.

Stroud continued to push for another score with Raath running strongly from full back and Leworthy using his fend to break through a number of tackles. Unfortunately, a combination of determined Norton defence and some mis-placed passes Stroud were unable to add to their score. Norton to their credit kept up their work rate and claimed the final score of the afternoon with their second row scavenging a line out ball and surging 70m up the touchline to cross in the corner. 24-13.

Full Time Stroud 24 Norton 13

This was undoubtedly Stroud’s toughest test in the league so far this season. The continuity and cohesion of the previous performance was not as apparent although signs were there in the second half, where forward carries provided greater momentum. The continued development of young players provides a huge positive as the season pushes on. This team have yet to fulfil their potential and this game showed that if they weren’t fully on their game, results would need to be dug out against competitive opposition.

Man of the Match: Zinzan Cremmins – outstanding carrying and defensive work from the Number 8.

Stroud look to continue to build as they visit Cheltenham on Friday 29th October KO 1930.