A Positive Start for Stroud

A Positive Start for Stroud
Match Report by Mark Samak

Stroud started their league campaign at Old Cryptians. The rising temperatures and hard ground certainly tested the stamina of players in their first league outing for 18 months, which proved to be a fast and open game.

A number of new faces joined the squad as Stroud took the field under the captaincy of club stalwart, Sam Leworthy.

Receiving the kick-off, Stroud began to work through their phases with Stokes (on debut) along with Fruin and Phillips carrying strongly. A lack of continuity and some issues at the breakdown however meant that Stroud were unable to convert early possession into meaningful territory and indeed Crypts opened the scoring out wide after some hesitancy in the Stroud defence.
Strong defence from Wheeler (on debut), Phillips and Samak forced a turnover from the restart and swift distribution from Ashenford allowed Marsh to release the backline and push into the opposition 22 for the first time however a handling error stopped them in their tracks.

The scrummage was solid throughout the game with the front row of Warner, Voyce and Rodway (on debut) providing secure ball and pressurising the Cryptians pack. Beginning to exert further pressure, Stroud continued to carry strongly through Voyce and Fruin in narrower channels whilst Wooley (another debutant) and the Leworthy brothers making significant ground in the wider channels but on a number of occasions possession was lost as ambitious offloads didn’t quite go to hand.

Stroud heads did not drop and they always looked to show ambition. Ashenford was always a threat around the fringes with his sniping bursts, Fruin continued his strong ball carrying and the veteran back row pairing of Phillips and Samak combined to take play deep into the Cryptians half. Jamie Leworthy made further ground with a trade mark direct burst before the forwards took over. Pick and goes from Rodway, Stokes and Voyce set the platform for Ashenford to feed Warner on the charge. Powering through the first tackler, he dragged further defenders with him before crashing over under the posts, still carrying would be tacklers on his back. Ashenford converted. 5-7.

Flanagan entered the fray, and was soon showing his voracious appetite for the tackle whilst Baker replaced the unfortunate Wooley, who limped off injured. Stroud’s attack may have been misfiring but their defence remained solid. One turnover inside their own 22 freed Sam Leworthy to bulldoze his way through a number of tackles before kicking ahead down the slope – he led the chase along with Taylor and dragged the Cryptians FullBack down deep in his own 22. Further pressure from Jamie Leworthy and Wooley forced a penalty for holding on but territory was lost with some indiscipline at the breakdown. Stroud knew they had to make the most of the slope in the first half and a timely lineout steal from Stokes allowed Voyce to pounce on a loose ball and set up one final attack. Davies, who had replaced Warner, and Rodway carried before quick thinking from Ashenford set Flanagan free on the narrow-side to dive over in the corner. A superb touchline conversion from Ashenford ended the first half. 5-14.

Half Time
Old Cryptians 2nd XV 5 Stroud Rugby 14

Playing up the slope in the second half, Stroud started with much more continuity in their game and were able to go through the phases to take play up into the Cryptians 22. Marsh almost weaved his way through and concerted forward pressure almost resulted in a score but eventually it was left to captain Sam Leworthy to cross out wide after being freed by Marsh. 5-19.

Cryptians always looked to spread the ball wide but secure defence from the wingers Taylor and Collins (on debut) kept territory gain to a minimum. Baker and Voyce continued to be strong in defence however Stroud began to concede a number of penalties at the breakdown, which allowed Cryptians to kick into the 22. After a number of phases, Cryptians barged their way over close to the posts. 12-19.

The game was now finely balanced but the next 20 seconds would turn the momentum straight back in Stroud’s favour. A kick-off from Marsh proved too awkward for a Cryptians forward to take and timely opportunism from Collins allowed him to kick ahead before collecting and showing his pace to out run the covering defence and cruise in and around under the posts. Ashenford converted. 12-26.

This really should have been where Stroud put the game to bed but continuing issues around the breakdown allowed Cryptians to gain easy territory. They made the most of it and scored out wide after some secure handling. 17-26.
Stroud knew this was not over and despite fatigue beginning to set in always looked to attack. Phillips, Fruin and Stokes continued to carry strongly whilst Warner always seemed to make significant ground. Significant ground was always made by Collins, whose elusive but strong running style was proving almost impossible for the defence to stop. One kick collection was returned from his own line leaving would be tacklers in his wake.

Cryptians looked to move the ball at every opportunity but Marsh instinctively read a long pass and intercepted deep in his own half. His speed and stamina allowed him to avoid the covering defence as he defied any fatigue to run 70m to score. 17-31.

Stroud were now in control and finished the game with one of the best tries of the game. Jamie Leworthy ran strongly from Samak’s pick from the scrum before recycled ball allowed Stokes and Voyce to drive into opposition territory. Ashenford and Baker then combined to release Collins to again show evasion and acceleration in equal measure. A Cryptians hand foiled the attack but from the ensuing scrum, excellent hands from the backs and captain Leworthy’s incursion into the line freed Taylor to cross over on the right. Ashenford converted with the final kick of the game. 17-38.

Full Time Old Cryptians 17 Stroud Rugby 38

This was a hugely positive start to the season for Stroud. The effort and commitment shown by all 18 players could not be questioned and the excellent team spirit should stand them in good stead for the challenges ahead. There are still a number of aspects of the game that need developing and refining but after 18 months away from league rugby a win left both players and supporters with a smile on their faces.

Congratulations should go to all the players making their first league appearances for the club and also to Captain Sam Leworthy, who not only celebrated a win this week but also the birth of his son. (Best Wishes to you and Hattie).

Thanks to Old Cryptians for the game, which was played in a competitive but excellent spirit and also for their hospitality afterwards.

Finally, massive thanks to all the support from Stroud that travelled over – this was very much appreciated by all the players on a hot draining afternoon.

We are now looking forward to running out at Fromehall Park next Saturday against Minchinhampton. (Kick -Off 2:15pm)