Stroud top their County Cup group unbeaten with another victory

It was a re-run of a game against Tetbury. This time it was a full bloodied County Cup fixture. Could Stroud repeat their 55-25 friendly victory and ensure they finish top of their County Cup league group unbeaten? Another large squad of players was going to cause plenty of sub combinations for Mark and Phil to manage. At least Phil had denied Stoner the chance to play with his dicky back too valuable to risk on doctors orders:

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

Tetbury kicked off and quickly chased down their own kick. As Tetbury started to attack Harry put in a crunching tackle to show Tetbury that Stroud were here to win. A turnover ensued and Stroud quickly turned defence into attack. Ball went left for Archie to have a good run, then the ball got recycled and came through to the right where Joe made some good ground and cut back inside. He was tackled well but Liam took the ball at the ruck and threatened the line. He was held up but quick ball came out to the left and Alex was able to benefit with a dive for the line and an opening try.

Stroud kicked off and Tetbury ran it back but Mr T stopped them on halfway. They quickly got the ball moving again and attacked strongly to the left and right making good ground through hesitant Stroud tackling and poor breakdown technique. Tetbury managed to break away down the left flank but Arthur put in a try saving tackle. Again the ball was recycled quickly but a knock-on by Tetbury gave Stroud time to recoup. This was a totally different team from earlier in the season with Tetbury tackling and running strongly and winning many of the breakdowns. Stroud would need to dig deep.

At the scrum restart Tetbury won it against the head but another knock-on from their backs stopped a promising move. Stroud turned it over quickly with Dave and Archie ran down the left but was tackled out. Tetbury restarted but some good tackling from Harry forced another turnover. Callum and Will had some good runs but the game was stopped for Tetbury injury and various subs were taken. At the restart Dave ran right and Fin took it on and cut-back inside but was tackled hard. A turnover battle ensued with Orgy eventually winning possession for Stroud which Liam took advantage off with a barrelling run but was brought down with a good tackle and got an injury for his trouble.

Stroud had a penalty restart that Mr T ran strongly. The ball came out to Dave who ran right. Ball came back to the left and Stroud got into the 22. Stroud won the ruck after Hilly went mining for the ball. It came out left and Will took some good attacking steps. As the defenders closed on him he deftly passed to Flash. As the overlap offered itself Flash did his best Ben Young’s impression and threw an impressive dummy pass that committed the defender and gave him a walk-in try and a 10-0 lead.

Tetbury kicked the ball straight out. At the restart Arthur ran the ball up the middle. A maul ensued with good support from the forwards. The ball popped out and Dave was the benefactor with a long run to the left. He somehow managed to tiptoe down the left wing and as he appeared to be stopped he swerved and pirouetted to keep forward momentum going and managed to touch down in the left corner and make it a 15-0 lead to give Stroud some breathing space.

This time Stroud kicked off and an errant Tetbury foot kicked it straight back to a surprised Orgy who showed great technique to catch it at pace but Tetbury made amends and put in a good tackle and won a turnover. Laurie was having none of this and did his own turnover tackle. The ball came out right and Dave turned up the pitch and as the defenders closed him down he off-loaded to Fin who sprinted down the right flank and out-paced the last tackler to score in the corner. 20-0 to Stroud.

Tetbury kicked off and Laurie was unlucky to knock-on. Tetbury won the scrum and their scrum half attacked to the right and managed to swerve past a few defenders to score a good try and remind Stroud that Tetbury were playing better than the score showed. 20-5 to Stroud.

Tetbury kicked off and Keyan ran the ball back but as soon as he was tackled he knocked on – lack of warm-ups to blame? A few phases of alternating play from both sides was disrupted by turnovers. Jamie had a good run and also Lucas. Tetbury were improving by the minute though and had a good attack themselves that Dave slowed up with a big tackle but Tetbury were not to be denied and kept shipping the ball left and ran in another good try to close to 20-10.

Tetbury kicked off and Archie ran it back. Keyan took the ball on and drew some defenders. He passed onto Alex who also drew a defender and then fed Dave who sprinted down the left wing and extended the lead to 25-10 and relieve a bit of the pressure.

Tetbury kicked off and Keyan ran it back but was tackled out of play. Tetbury took a quick line-in pass and made good ground into the Stroud half with attacking passages going both left and right with their skilful runners making good ground and their powerful forwards winning quick ball at the breakdown. As another try threatened Alex put in a crunching tackle that forced a knock-on. At the resulting Stroud scrum instead of kicking for touch Arthur kicked the ball down the Tetbury full backs throat and he ran it back well and as we thought a 3rd try was coming he knocked on and the game was stopped for half time.

Half time: Stroud 25-10 Tetbury

More sub rotations and more advice from the coaching staff. Specifically around trying to win the breakdown battle and give Hilly some clean ball to work with instead of him digging it out coal miner style that luckily he’s very adept at doing.

Stroud kicked off and Tetbury again ran it back well. They then changed tact and kicked the ball that Joe ran back well. Stroud won the ruck and Will went for a kick himself but it was charged down. Tetbury attacked again and more defiant defending from both Arthur and Alex forced a turnover that newcomer Darion picked up and ran back strongly. He was pushed out of play though. Tetbury took the line-in pass and attacked both left and right with poor Stroud tackling giving them confidence to keep going. Tetbury finally created space and ran in a 3rd try in the right corner but the player ran out the back of the try area before grounding the ball so the try was not given and Stroud escaped again. Stroud had a scrum restart but Tetbury won it and had a good chance to score but knocked on. At the next scrum Stroud won this and Will kicked long and Tetbury knocked on. A quick kick chase won Stroud the ball and Keyan ran left. He passed to Will at just the right time who then passed onto Joe who hared down the left wing and scored a well deserved try for a 30-10 lead.

Tetbury kicked off and Liam ran it back. Mr T supported him well and took the ball on, then it came out to Keyan who ran half the length of the pitch to score in left corner making it 35-10.

This time a Stroud kick off and a Tetbury run back and a Mr T tackle. As Tetbury tried to keep the attack alive an alert Will intercepted the ball and ran left. He passed to Dave who again ran half the length of the pitch with the shout of “gas-gas-gas” to encourage him to the try line. Now 40-10 to Stroud.

Stroud kick off and Tetbury were tackled out of play. Stroud took the line-in and Jamie made good ground. Riley made some ground at the next attack followed by Jedd. Eventually Stroud got close to the line and Liam was denied on the line. Lucas took advantage though and picked up the ball and dived over the line for a 45-10 lead.

Tetbury kick off and a typical Fin weaving run back was the result. A good Tetbury tackle though forced a turnover and Tetbury attacked to the left and right. More poor tackling gave the Tetbury winger a clear run to the line and as he was preparing to touch down Arthur flew in with a spectacular tackle to deny the try and win Stroud a line-in. This was a perfect reminder to the rest of the team how to put in full effort and cover half the pitch to put in a text-book try saving diving tackle. Stroud tried to run out from under their posts but knocked on. Tetbury won the scrum and ran left to score a well deserved try and close to 45-15.

Stroud kicked off and Tetbury ran it back well but held on in the tackle. At the penalty Dave got the ball and jinked left and right but kept his forward momentum. As the defenders closed in he spotted a well supporting Will who took on the simple pass and ran in another try to the right corner. 50-15.

Tetbury kicked too short and Stroud had a scrum on half way that they duly won and attacked again but another knock-on gave Tetbury a scrum that they won. Jedd and Laurie helped force a turnover and Will kicked long. Tetbury kicked back twice – first one charged down but 2nd found its way to Fin who ran it back and pressured the Tetbury line. Stroud did well at the ruck and Will had a good chance to attack but was denied on the line. It didn’t matter though as Keyan was there to pick up the ball and score to the left for a 55-15 lead.

Another Tetbury kick off and another Keyan run back. Stroud won the ruck and Callum was there to do a good run but was held up in the maul. Tetbury were awarded a scrum that they won and went left. Edgar helped slow them down with a tackle. Then Jedd did well at the clear out. Ryan got the ball and made good ground but more strong Tetbury tackling forced a knock-on. Last play was called and Tetbury won their scrum. They attacked but a good tackle from Laurie forced a turnover. Callum got the ball and went on a long run, showing the renewed confidence he displayed in Friday night training. He was eventually tackled and a penalty at the breakdown brought the game to an end.

Full time: Stroud 55-15 Tetbury

Players quickly lined up to show their respect for Remembrance Sunday that was impeccably respected by all teams and age groups at Fromehall. Players then clapped each other off the pitch and Tetbury were applauded for their much improved performance that had put real pressure on Stroud and if it wasn’t for a few knock-ons the score would have been a lot closer. Although the score was similar to last time it had been a much harder game and full credit to Tetbury for playing as well as they did and never letting their head drop.

In the team debrief the players recognised where they had played well with their handling and attacking move sand where they needed to improve with tackling and breakdown support.

Both sets of players suited and booted congregated in the clubhouse to be fed ample lashings of chips and pasty. Even Stoner who was sleep deprived and carrying a raft of muscle injuries managed to wangle some food - that's why he wore the shirt and tie to trick the catering staff! This desire to be involved even when a non-combatant showed the team spirit that even injured players still wanted to be involved in the camaraderie that typifies Stroud Rugby.

Next week it’s a training session with special emphasis on a professional physio showing the boys the benefits of warm-ups and warm downs. It will finally become official that Jenks and Russell have been winging the warm-ups for the last few seasons….. This bonus physio session might be more than apt given that its Marling vs Archway next week and over 10 of the players will be involved and there are bound to be a few bruises and muscle strains to sort out! Please make sure you turn up early on Sunday to make sure you don’t miss any of it and put full effort in.