Stroud win at a canter with a clean sheet at Cirencester Polo Club

Stroud U12’s were spared the long trip to Lydney because they didn’t have a squad to play us so Cirencester were good enough to give us a game at short notice and even move it to the Polo Club due to their own facilities been waterlogged. Coach Mark felt very at home in this environment as he had been spied at Beaufort Polo Club in previous years – either as pitch clearer in the minds of 90% of the crowd, or as an opportunity to masquerade as an ex-Eton rower with his Bobbing mates (in-joke for those of you that know the story..)

A large squad was in attendance which again was going to give Phil and Mark nightmares with the subs. At least a few players were missing. Warm ups had nearly finished and who should wander up but Master Organ with a wry smile on his face. His dis-interest in warmups was legendary but what had happened this time? Turned out he had led his parents astray by not reminding them of the venue change and instead allowing them to drive to Cirencester RFC so he could miss out on the pain of push-ups and leg lunges. Revenge will be sweet from the coaches at some point in the future!

A small pitch was laid out amongst the divots but luckily a pitch inspection wasn’t needed as the Polo horses hadn’t left us any deposits to clear away. The only filly on display was the rather attractive one that was seen attending to the feeding of a few horses in an adjacent paddock. Unfortunately the day went downhill after this once she got back in her Landrover and drove back to the Royal Agricultural College.

Today was going to be a harder sequence of matches to comment on, but at least the score was going to be a lot closer than last week. This week’s problem was our players playing for them and the constant churn of subs.

Thankfully the new venue gave us an opportunity to add some humour to a disjointed mornings entertainment.

Chukka 1

A weakened Cirencester team asked to borrow 2 of our players to help keep their players fresh. Jedd and Harry were the first 2 to man up and take on the challenge of facing a rampant Stroud team.

Stroud kicked off and Ciren ran the ball back well. Fin was in a tackling mood though and dragged the man down and also dispossessed him at the same time. He sprinted down the left wing but a good Ciren tackle forced him out of play, just avoiding his Dad sporting this Winter’s latest fashion accessory of a white woolly hat. Man up Rick and face the elements. Can’t wait until we see him at Weymouth in his flip flops and unusual taste in summer outfits.

Ciren were unlucky to tip the lineout ball straight out so Stroud took over and showed how to win a lineout. Play went through the backs but fizzled out. Ciren took over the attack but Stoner was on his ‘A’ game and stole the ball well. Liam was in support and galloped down the track, sorry pitch, at a right canter. Good Ciren tackling forced a lineout on their own line which they did well to win. They hoofed it clear with a long kick. Stroud won the lineout with Mr T and a ruck formed. An alert Arthur picked up the ball at the base and cantered clear of the defenders. The Stroud backs were jockeying to keep up with him and be available for the off load. Arthur was too quick though but he fell at the final fence as a good Ciren tackle denied him the opening score. Keyan saw his chance though and picked up the ball and dived for the line but somehow he dropped it as he touched down. Stroud were not to be pipped at the post though and they won the resultant scrum and the ball came out left to Dave who scored for a 1-0 lead.

Half time was taken and the carousel of musical chairs started with the sub rotations.

Liam ran back the kick off strongly. Keyan and Dave ran right with a good move. Seeing an opportunity the play was cleverly switched back to the left and Archie E made a strong run and was unlucky to knock on in a strong tackle as the try line beckoned. Ciren had a scrum 5 that Stroud won against the head. Flash at scrum half cut left but was held up and ball turned over. Liam didn’t like this so ripped the ball in his next tackle to set up another attack. James and Edgar combined well on the right wing to keep the ball alive and set up another attacking platform. The ball came back to the left and as about 5 backs beckoned for the next pass Keyan saw a gap in the defence and scored the 2nd try of game.

Ciren kept going for it though and the highlight for them was Jedd going on a strong run that was luckily snuffed out by some good tackling with Laurie and Lucas. Full time whistle went in a short first game and Stroud’s Colts had won 2-0.

Chukka 2

Everyone took on sugar cubes and water and reset for the 2nd game. Boots and Horseshoes were cleared of clogged mud and new teams were constructed – Harry and Jedd continuing for Ciren. Would Stroud pull away from the pack and gallop to victory or get dragged into a race of attrition and fall at Beachers Brook? All bets were off - no bookie was open at 11am to take the money off of Jim and the only shop open within 5 miles was a Costa Coffee for Michael to help clear his Burns Night celebratory Hangover.

Stroud kicked off and Ciren ran it back and were awarded a scrum. Stroud won the scrum though and Will and Arthur combined for a switch move to the right. Play was stopped for a high tackle. Liam took the ball on at pace on the penalty and crashed though the tackles. As the try line beckoned he was forced back but Stroud recycled the ball well and it went left to Archie who showed a great step to cut back inside and then good strength to force his way through a tackle and score for a 1-0 lead.

Ciren kicked off and again Stroud ran it back well. All this kickoff practice was paying off with hardly a dropped ball in the greasy conditions. Liam was again tackled high and another Stroud penalty was awarded. This time Stoner was the race favourite and he took the ball at pace, ran over a few tackles, and sprinted clear in the final furlong to score the 2nd try.

It was now Ciren’s turn to have a strong passge of play. From the kickoff they marched down the pitch and were very combative in the breakdown winning easy possession as the Stroud team looked on instead of putting their body into the contact area. Ciren were close to scoring but Stroud’s defence tightened and Will got the ball and kicked long. Ciren didn’t have a full back and a galloping Keyan got there first and did well to pick up the ball. He was dragged down by a good tackle though and offloaded it well but Stroud knocked on soon after.

Ciren lost the scrum again to a good Stroud push. Hilly got the ball out quickly to the backs. It was shipped out to Fin who went on another good run, well supported by Edgar. Play broke down though and Ciren had a lineout. Liam showed everyone how to jump and snagged the ball and set up a ruck. Keyan saw another opportunity and picked up the ball and ran straight to give Stroud a 3-0 lead.

This time it was Arthurs turn to run back the kickoff strongly. He passed to Liam who then saw a thoroughbred called Joe sprinting up the right wing. Joe cantered on but fell at the next fence, sorry tackle. Lucas saw his chance though and picked up the ball and went on his own rumbling run. The crowd were really getting behind him and willing him to score but the ball was knocked loose and half time whistle went.

More Subs and this time Laurie and Archie went to play for Ciren.

Ciren kicked off and the ball went long so Stroud called for the half way scrum which they duly won. The ball went through a few phases and Stroud built pressure. Stoner took on the ball and was unlucky to step out of play as we thought he was going to dance down the sideline for a try. In the next passage of play Keyan was penalised for a correct positioning of his body during an attacking move. Bemusement was shared between players, coaches and parents but the refs decision is final so the boys just dusted themselves down and reset for the next play. Ciren attacked with their penalty but Alex put in a strong tackle and then promptly managed to win a turnover at the breakdown. Dash, back in the team after his footy injury, was raring to show his speed. He was brought down on the left wing but Alex was in good support and kept the move alive. The ball was quickly moved right and Edgar and Finn gained some more ground and Edgar showed great vision to pass the ball back inside to Dave. As we thought another try was coming the ref adjudged a forward pass against Stroud.

The next few minutes was a combination of attacking play by both sides. Laurie and Archie enjoying the opportunity to tackle their Stroud team mates and Mr T and Harry enjoying knocking over the Ciren players – especially the ones wearing flurescent bibs! The highlight play was another Will H steal and piercing run.The lowlight was an injury to Callum who had been playing really well and supporting both attacking and defensive moves. With concern for his shoulder injury from Weymouth he was subbed off. The bizarre moment was the Ciren ref stopping the game and berating his own parents for not supporting the team. Would it be a masterstroke or a mistake?

Ciren were not going to lie down though and with renewed cheering from their fans they put in some good attacks. The ball came loose in the Stroud try area and Alex did well to dive on it to prevent a try. Ciren were awarded a scrum 5 which they won. Jedd was alert to the danger though and did his own rip tackle and then run. He passed it to Dash who again had to be favourite to score a long distance try but as he ran up the left wing a great Ciren tackle forced him out. Full time whistle and a 3-0 victory to Stroud.

In another unusual move the ref called for handshakes and cheers between the players. It was then decided to play another game so we all retired back to our stables to pick the runners and riders for the next race.

Chukka 3

Lucas and Joe were the volunteers to play for Ciren for the next half.

Stroud kicked off but no Ciren player wanted it so Dave deftly caught it and attacked. Liam was supporting well and took the ball on. Finally who else but Keyan was there to pickup the ball at the ruck and score the opening try.

Ciren kicked off and Orgy caught it cleanly and ran back shouting the words “I am a rugby god. Put this in the match report”. I duly decided to ignore this blatant effort of self gratification but then left it in so his team mates can wind him up about it….. (coaches revenge is sweet Master Organ. It’s a dish best served cold, just like the weather….)

Again play slowed up and Ciren made a good attack – with Lucas leading the charge for them. Joe then took up the Ciren attacks and threatened to score but good Stroud tackling eventually brought him down but held the ball up as he was on the line. Stroud won the resulting scrum and Will kicked long. Ciren were alert to this and ran the ball back well but were pushed out of play by Archie. Jedd won the lineout and Stroud attacked through Dave who somehow kept his legs churning and made more and more yardage. The ball came out to Archie E who showed good hands. Joe in Ciren mode put in a great tackle though. Typical a Stroud player denying a Stroud player a try – brings back memories of Fin chasing down Keyan at Weymouth last year and denying him another £1 try….

The half finished with another good Ciren attack started by Lucas and finished off by Joe. Another Stroud lineout and another Jedd clean take and then half time whistle.

More sub rotations and Alex and Joe swapped roles for Ciren.

Ciren kicked off and another Liam runback was the bruising penalty Ciren had to accept. Keyan then took it on but he was tackled out of play. The Ciren players certainly weren’t lying down and were great in the tackle and breakdown area all match.

The next few minutes was a bit disjointed with different attacking phases breaking down on both sides. The last highlight of the morning was another dominating Stroud scrummage victory with quick ball out to the backs from Flash. Fin took it on and ran right. As space looked to have run out he passed to Edgar who then quickly passed back inside to Dave who crashed over the line for the 2nd try.

Full time whistle went after a few scrum resets and messy phases of play.

Wrap Up

More shaking of hands and players returned to listen to their Head Trainer give them some constructive advice on how to better play the game and not lose the ball at breakdown often and don’t always go into contact if there are better options outside. Special mention was given to the players that played for both teams. Backs Man of the Match was going to be Joe but as he won it last week it was given to Alex in recognition of doing the simple things well and always going forward. Forwards Man of Match was another hard decision but Keyan was given it for his try scoring performance.

Final Score was Cirencester 0 – 7 Stroud or in old money Ciren still 0 – 35 Stroud.

Many thanks to Ciren for hosting the game at such short notice and giving us a combative game.

Lets bring on Minch next week and give them a right (horse)shooing!

Throughout the matches Orgy kept wandering up and asking for a mention. He even tried claiming a try as he stood on the sideline and we were trying to decipher a refereeing decision. He said he was a fan of the blog and read every report to the end. Due to his lack of warmups and not much match time I only promised him a mention at the end, if at all…….

So who was going to be the last person home?

Well Sam and Mark were spotted making another navigation error and turning left towards the town centre to re-visit Ciren RFC for 2nd time of the day - so last person back was going to be Orgy!