Fireworks from the Forwards and Backs to celebrate Bonfire Night

Frosty ground, the smell of smouldering bonfires, rocket sticks on the ground – could only mean one thing – County Cup fixture at Cheltenham North in early November.

The first challenge was a large frosty pitch was waiting for us. Fortunately by game time the sun had come out to soften it up and a row of cones marked out a slightly smaller playing area. Challenge #2 was no impartial ref from the GRFU but instead having Jo reffing the game knowing that he wouldn’t miss a thing so they’d have to bring their ‘A’ game.

Forwards: Liam, Orgy, Stoner, Laurie, Mr T, Keyan
Backs: Hilly, Will, Dave, Arthur, Flash, Fin, Alex
Subs: Jedd, Lucas, Jamie, Callum, Harry, Ryan, Joe

Stroud kicked off and a hesitant Chelt team let the ball bounce around and Stoner was unlucky to knock-on as he looked to win the ball. Chelt won the scrum and got the ball out quickly to their backs but all this meant was that they quickly got tackled hard by Will and Dave in turn resulting in knock-ons. Stroud were awarded a scrum that they won and Hilly saw an option to the right and quickly got the ball to Flash who threatened to score but good Chelt defense stopped him just short. Stroud were penalised and this gave Chelt chance to try their tap-penalty move with their big guy but just as he got upto full speed he was met by Keyan who made a statement of intent by powerfully tackling him and knocking him back 3 yards. Strong Stroud tackling was going to be a theme in this game for sure. Chelt did well to win the ball at the ruck but all this meant was they were getting forced backwards to their line with the final nail in the coffin delivered by Will performing a rip tackle on the try line and touching the ball down to open the score. 5-0 to Stroud.

Stroud kicked off again and the ball bounced out. Chelt took the line in pass but Laurie was there with a big tackle to force a turnover due to good support and the ruck by Orgy and Mr T. Keyan picked up the ball and sprinted right and at the perfect time he passed to Dave who carried on the move to score in the corner. 10-0 to Stroud. Before you know it it was 15-0 with another Stroud kickoff. A great kick chase by Flash to recover the ball and Keyan there to then run to the left and exploit gaps in the defense with a punishing run.

At the next Stroud kickoff the ball was short so back for a Chelt scrum on halfway that they won. Didn’t matter as Dave was quick into the tackle and forced another turnover that Keyan picked up and sprinted to the right and again showing an unselfish team first ethos saw a better positioned player to the right and a crisp pass to Flash put him away and he outrun the last tackler to score in the right corner for 20-0. Realising the final result was not in doubt the coaches then started the sub rotations and experimenting with players in different positions.

Another Stroud kick-off and same result though with a punishing tackle forcing a turnover that Keyan quickly exploited by running down the left wing for the 5th try and 25-0 lead. Time for Keyan and Will to also take a rest now…..

Stroud kicked off and Jamie was the next big tackle waiting for Chelt. Ryan now playing at #10 went on a weaving run and Chelt were penalised in their attempts to stop him. Liam took the tap-penalty at pace and broke through the first few tackles. Good support from Stoner and Laurie meant quick recycling gave Stroud a great attacking option that we throught Arthur had run in but ref Joe had spotted a forward pass and called it back. Chelt won the scrum but Hilly put in a great tackle. Chelt kept the ball alive though but it just meant more strong tackling by Dave, Laurie and Jamie kept Chelt from escaping their 22. Another Stoner tackle forced a turnover that Fin picked up and attacked the left wing. He was held up short but good forward support gave Liam the chance to take the ball on and score for a 30-0 lead.

Another Stroud kick-off and another good tackle, this time from Harry, forced a turnover. Quick ball came out to Joe and he was close to scoring but Chelt defended well. Harry and Jamie – the black scrum cap twins – combined well to win the ball and one of them broke away with the ball and scored a try. After forensic analysis we awarded it to Jamie because in all other aspects of their game you couldn’t separate them – looks, tackling, breakdown support etc.

Stroud kicked off and Will chased down his own kick and with it bouncing around he tried picking it up at pace but was unlucky to knock-on. This was met by a braying “Eeyore” noise from the sidelines as Chris O subtley reminded Will that there was always something to improve in his game. We’ve never seen a hooker knock-on the ball in contact have we Chris?

Chelt won their scrum and tried a backs move but an alert Harry was there with a great tackle, quickly followed by Arthur and Callum also punishing any Chelt attacking moves. Chelt were awarded a penalty though but this time Fin was waiting with the 1st tackle. To their credit Chelt kept going – side-to-side mainly to avoid the stout Stroud defense. When they did venture close to the gain line a wave of tacklers were waiting. Joe got a turnover tackle that won Stroud a scrum. They attacked left. Just as the match reporter was wondering how to include full-back Alex in the report the backs kindly ran a reverse move that Alex took on at pace and broke through a few tackles. The attack stalled though and at the next knock-on ref Joe blew for half time.

Half time: Cheltenham North 0 – 35 Stroud

2nd half started with a Cheltenham kickoff. Fin caught it cleanly and went on a weaving run down the left wing. As space evaporated in front of him he cut back inside and swerved past a few tackles to break into the Chelt half. Somehow he pulled off a Houdini-esque move to avoid more tackles and break into the Chelt 22. Just as we thought the full back might stop him he swerved to the right and ran in the best try of the match. A curly haired version of Jonny May sprung to mind, but without the knee injury to slow him down….. The parents celebrated and Jim was heard to quote “More steps than Strictly on Saturday night”. So that must mean that it’s a score of eight from Len, aka 40-0 to Stroud.

Stroud kicked off and Chelt were awarded a penalty at the resulting breakdown. Lucas did a good tackle and somehow then came away with the ball. Jedd supported well and took on the attack to the left wing. Joe took the ball on but was tackled short. Not to worry as Callum and Harry won the ruck. Stroud attacked right through the backs. Alex saw his opportunity and straightened his run and got close to the try line and just as we thought he’d been denied he churned the legs and managed to touchdown under the posts for a 45-0 lead.

Another Stroud kickoff that Ryan chased and recovered. The ball came out to Joe who kept the move going. Lucas then took over and made good ground. Alex attacked to the left and an ambitious pass was caught by a diving Dave. Jamie and Liam were quick to win the ruck. Arthur attacked first but was stopped. Then Stoner took the next ball and ran through some hesitant tackles to score a try but it was disallowed. I’m sure Phil would discuss that with Jo in the bar later. Chelt ran the penalty out but Dave did a rip-tackle that Lucas then took on and rumbled to the left to score a well deserved try. 50-0 to Stroud.

Another Stroud kick-off and the next few phases of play were alternating tackles and turnovers - Mr T and Arthur leading the way. Stroud won a scrum and this time Flash playing scrum-half saw an opportunity to attack down the blindside and score a try for 55-0. Next kick-off Keyan forced a turnover that he then picked up and attacked down the right wing and as the try line beckoned he saw Joe supporting well so rewarded him with a simple pass and a walk in try for 60-0.

Chelt changed tact and kicked off and Orgy saw his chance to get his name in the match report with his own weaving run back. As the tired Chelt players closed in a deft pass to Joe kept the move alive. Keyan now playing at centre was then the next to benefit from a good pass and with a 3 man overlap at his disposal he opted to score himself this time, much to the disappointment of Hilly on the wing.

Another Chelt kick-off that Alex ran back. As he was tackled short of half-way Lucas saw his chance and picked up the ball and ran the length of the pitch with players hanging off him and parents shouting encouragement. As he closed on the Chelt try line a brave defender stood him up and slowed the move to the speed of a glacier, but the forwards caught up and in the maul shoved Lucas over the line but he wasn’t able to ground the ball so Mr T ripped it off him and touched it down instead. Lucas did the hard work and Mr T took the statistic. Teamwork was the winner though.

The final scoring phase of play though was an Arthur kick run back. A few tackles and scrums then gave Hilly the chance to show his tackling prowess. The ball popped out and Dave was there to score in the left corner for the final try as the full time whistle went.

Full time: Cheltenham North 0 – 75 Stroud

Players were clapped off in tunnels and the Chelt North coaches were generous in their praise of our performance. Team debrief was held with the strengths of tackling emphasised and a reminder of taking ownership of your contribution to contribute to the team performance. To show it was an overall well balanced team performance there were 15 tries scored, 8 by the backs and 7 by the forwards. 11 different players as well.

Everyone retired to the clubhouse to take advantage of the generous hospitality of food for the shirt and tie dressed players and alcoholic lemonade for the parents. Another County Cup fixture next weekend to see if we can finish top of the group unbeaten. Hopefully everyone can make Friday training so we can work on a few pieces that need attention.