Stroud Regain Confidence with Hard Fought Win.

Special match report by coach Mark - many thanks for your great report.

As Russ was away this weekend, thought I’d give the match report a go. (Apologies if it lacks Russ’s quality of phrase and before any of you say he’s a teacher I deal with MATHS!) *** Editors comment - with English this good he must have great fun doing the school reports !! ***

Stroud arrived at Hucclecote in determined mood ready to put last week’s disappointment at Matson firmly behind them. Still without Fly Half Will (thanks for your support!!) and with Liam now added to the injury list Stroud used this opportunity to give players the chance to play in differing positions all adding to Jo’s master plan to produce highly versatile players, who will develop their all round rugby skills.

Today’s players: Callum, Tom O, Stoner, Laurie, Kyan, Will T, Jedd, Kayden, Flash, Tom H, Dave, Arthur, George, Dash, Archie E, Edgar, Fin

Game 1

A really positive start from the Stroud boys involved excellent recycling work at the breakdown (Callum and Stoner to the fore) and swift handling from the backs. Archie E was unlucky to be bundled out just inches from the line after sharp passing from Dave, George and Arthur. Buoyed by this, Stroud this time moved the ball left allowing Lewis (sorry Dash!) to almost beat the Hucclecote defence on the outside. Hucclecote made inroads due to a number of penalties conceded by Stroud and only an incredible tackle from the ever dependent Fin stopped Hucclecote from scoring.

Half Time Hucclecote 0 Stroud 0

The second half initially started with more of the same with Stoner and Tom O continuing to hit rucks and Arthur and George breaking the Hucclecote defensive line. Unfortunately, Stroud were unable to make their pressure pay and were punished when an excellent run from a Hucclecote forward, who capitalised on some unusually brittle defence to take play up to the Stroud line. Swift recycling allowed Hucclecote forwards to crash over in the corner. 5-0 Hucclecote.

Hucclecote continued to drive forward and were soon encamped on the Stroud line again. More combative defence initially held the Gloucester side out and a turnover seemed to have relieved the pressure but an instant re turnover (if there is such a thing!) allowed Hucclecote to drive over once more. 10-0 Hucclecote.

Stroud battled right to the end with an excellent driving run from Laurie, who was supplementing his second row work with a stint in the centres and speedy break from Archie C (Flash), who had swapped his usual scrum-half berth for a stint on the wing! Ah the true versatility of a Stroud player!! The final whistle blew but this was not the end of the morning’s entertainment (not by a long shot!!)

Full Time Hucclecote 10 Stroud 0

Game 2

With a rallying team talk from Jo reverberating in their heads, positivity oozed from Stroud straight from the kick off. Dash chased a long kick and put the receiver under so much pressure Stroud almost drove Hucclecote back over their own line. Resultant pressure ended with a scrum to Stroud, whose forwards were now much more solid. Secure ball allowed Dave, reverting to type and direct centre running, to drive within inches of the line. More powerful rucking with Kyan now joining the clearout brigade allowed Dash to power his way over for Stroud’s first tray of the day. 5-0 Stroud

The opening minutes of the half were far more Bash than Dash from Lewis but hey we all loved seeing this other part of your game!

An excellent take from the restart and powerful runs from George and Kyan took play immediately back into opposition territory. More great work in the forwards from Will T and Kyan allowed Arthur to make a typically robust run that was stopped only inches short of the line by gritty Hucclecote defence. As now seemed commonplace the ball came back and in a flash Tom O picked up and drove over to add a well deserved try to a fine all round performance. 10-0 Stroud

Stroud were by now dominating possession and yet another strong run by George enabled Tom H to send Dave blind with yet more lightning distribution. Dave drew a couple of tacklers before offloading to Full Back Fin, who beat one tackler before appearing to be stopped. However that was before the full power of the Stroud forwards added renewed momentum and drove him over the line. 15-0 Stroud

Half Time Hucclecote 0 Stroud 15

Hucclecote upped their intensity in the second half with some strong running, but good defence, although sometimes reliant on a last ditch tackle - well done Flash (Archie C)!! Kept Hucclecote out. Stroud continued to drive well with Kyan producing a number of extremely powerful bursts, that I’m sure dear old Bill McLaren would have compared to “an enraged rhinoceros”, dragging defenders along with him. To their credit Hucclecote kept hammering on the door but solid defence and excellent ripping from Stoner and Dave coupled with Tom H grappling manfully with Hucclecote’s largest forward kept our line intact.

Full Time Hucclecote 0 Stroud 15

With the boys covered in mud but with smiles back on their faces and Matson forgotten it was three cheers and handshakes with a sporting and very committed Hucclecote side, who I’m sure are looking forward to a rematch in the New Year.

Men of Match - A tough decision with great effort from all the boys.
Forwards - Kyan Backs – George

Many thanks to all Stroud players and supporters. Thanks also to players and coaches of Hucclecote RFC for a great game played in a great spirit.

*** Editors comment - I don't think there will be a Hucclecote team match report as they don't seem to use their website much ***