Stroud run through Wall’s to beat a stout Old Richian’s squad

There were walls everywhere - fences to control access to the pitch, a stout defensive wall from Stroud, and an adjacent ice cream factory. Could Stroud come in from the cold and put on a heart warming display?

It was the first week of the newer earlier starting time so more time could be put into warm-ups and preparation before game time. All the kids and parents brought into it with an early arrival at a cold Old Richians venue – perhaps someone had left the doors open from the adjacent Wall’s ice cream factory?

The match reporter was strangely absent from the early start. He rolled in just in time for kick-off. His equivalent of the warm-up was the half mile walk from the nearest parking spot to the pitch so his writing hand was warm enough to scribe. To avoid the inevitable inquest from the players and ribbing from the coaches he hid over with the parents and tried to ignore their influences to get their sons into the report…...

Starting Forwards: The bigger kids minus Keyan
Starting Backs: The smaller kids minus Arthur, plus Keyan + others like Laurie
Subs: Lots and Lots – Phil’s sub sheet was creaking under the weight of the ink

The game kicked off and the teams traded attacking moves. It became clear that Old Richian’s (ORich) would be strong in the tackle and breakdown elements of the game. Good tackles by Orgy and Dave kept ORich at bay. A turnover and a pick and go by Jamie gave Stroud the space they needed. Hilly got quick ball out to the backs who attacked with Dave to the left and as ORich closed in he passed to Finn who sprinted down left wing to score the opening try for 5-0 lead. At this stage Stoner left the game with a reoccurrence of his muscle strain - get well soon.

Stroud kicked off and ORich ran it back well but knocked on in the tackle. Stroud won the scrum and attacked with Will. At the ruck Keyan attacked and was close to the line but knocked on in a strong tackle. ORich won their scrum and kicked high and deep to give them some space. Alex caught the ball well though and quickly filled the gap with his attacking run. At the resulting ruck Mr T and Callum cleared out well and the ball quickly came out to the right and Dave arced around the corner to score in right corner for a 10-0 lead.

ORich kicked off and the game settled down into the teams trading attacking moves. Highlights been Laurie, Mr T and Liam with forceful runs and good tackling from Harry and Orgy.

Russell’s attention to detail was lacking because he was dreaming of fame and fortune as he’d heard from Jon that Cinderford had their junior match reports published in the newspaper. He was brought back to earth with a bump with the shrill of a whistle and another try scored by Stroud in the right corner. As he panicked about having to make up a try scorer he was corrected by Stu who advised it was Dave – but that it wouldn’t affect the accuracy of the match report a most of it appeared made up anyway – or was a copy/paste of last week’s text. 15-0 to Stroud but more subs to do as Will came off injured and Alex moved into fly half.

Dave took on kick off duties and ORich showed great poise to keep control of the ball and attack both left and right to make headway into the Stroud half. As they appeared close to scoring Liam did a heroic tackle to hold them up short. It just delayed the inevitable though as ORich kept the pressure on and managed to breach the Stroud tackles and score a well deserved try to close to 15-5.

Another good ORich run back and more pressure on Stroud. Alex did a try saving tackle on their big back. I was forced to put that in because Sam asked me to. The Organs always try and influence the match report – normally its Orgy trying to get his name in lights! Stroud won the turnover and attacked right with Laurie. Dave took the ball on and was unlucky to miss with his gruber kick. Orgy won the ball back at the next breakdown which gave Joe a good platform to attack from. Another ruck and more good forward play with Harry and Eddie gave Keyan a chance to attack to the left. He passed expertly to Liam who took the ball straight but was held up close to the line. Another ruck win gave Keyan the chance to pick up and dive over the line for 20-5 lead.

The game kicked off again and ORich knocked on which meant Stroud won the resulting scrum and attacked right and Dave scored in the corner for a 25-5 advantage.

Stroud had the wind in their sails (just to make Eddie feel at home) and were playing well. Liam ran the kick-off back and Keyan continued the move up the left wing but was pushed out of play. ORich took the line in ball but a long pass bounced loose and Keyan was quick to pounce on it and sprint half the length of the pitch to score under the posts. 30-5 to Stroud.

ORich ran the ball back at next kick-off but a strong tackle from Alex forced a knock-on that Dave picked up and ran straight back for another score, and the reward of half time whistle.

Half Time: Old Richians 5 – 35 Stroud

Another raft (more homage to Eddie) of subs as Stroud showed their strength in depth at all positions and gave players well earnt rests. Flash moved to scrum half and New Harry made his debut.

ORich kicked off and a good Stroud runback by Finn. ORich were still playing well though and won numerous turnovers that were then thwarted by good tackles from Joe and Lucas. Stroud kept showing attacking intent and often ran the ball out of defense. One passage of play had Keyan throwing a long pass that Archie caught well and made good yardage up the left flank. Rucks were exchanged and Darrian spotted his chance and picked up the loose ball and ran down the right. He was eventually stopped by a determined tackle. Quick support from New Harry and Old Harry won the ruck. Flash passed to Jedd who was running the ‘X’ channel as taught by Mark on Friday night. He took the ball at pace and broke a few tackles. Good support from Eddie and New Harry kept the maul moving. Eventually it was halted though but this gave the backs chance to shine with Edgar showing great poise with a weaving run. At the ruck Eddie showed his determination by taking the ball on and keeping the forward progress going.

The game was stopped for an injury. Stroud won the scrum restart and attacked left. Keyan straightened his run and scored a good try for 40-5 Stroud lead.

ORich kicked off and Finn ran it back well. Another maul formed and Eddie kept the ball alive. Lucas and Jedd were providing good support in the mauls. ORich eventually got a turnover and attacked back themselves from wing to wing – helped by some poor Stroud tackling. As a try threatened New Harry put in a storming tackle. ORich won the ruck though and threatened again but Alex was there to stop them this time. ORich player was held up and Stroud were awarded a scrum on 5 yard line. Alex left the pitch for a rest as Will was well rested from his injury. He was immediately called into action and kicked long. The ORich full back ran the ball back well but he was met by Eddie who did an Arthur style rip-tackle to win a turnover.

The game continued “harem-scarem” style as both teams tried to break through the good defensive lines. ORich were held up again on the Stroud line – this time by Eddie and Lucas in tandem. ORich won the resulting scrum and attacked right but Will did a good tackle that forced a turnover. Flash ran left and Archie carried on the move up the left wing. Laurie and New Harry won the ruck and the ball came out to the right. Dave was running out of space and improvised with a gruber kick that was unlucky to bounce out of play. ORich kept attacking from the line-in though and another good tackle from Laurie slowed them down. The breakdown battle was very intense with each team expressing themselves well. Bodies were starting to lie all over the pitch so the Stroud subs bench was being used well and Delia’s plasters and ice packs were in frequent use – for us as well as ORich players.

The scrums had to go uncontested as ORich had run out of props. This gave them a good attacking platform but big tackles from Flash and Dave pushed them backwards. Another 5 minutes passed and more forward dominated play. Orgy won a turnover and Will showed great hands to fake a pass left and attack the gap. As he was shutdown he got the pass out to a well supporting Joe who carried on the attack and the ball was kept alive by the forwards and Edgar, Flash and Hilly all did some good runs. Eventually ORich managed to win a turnover and kicked deep. A retreating Joe fielded the ball well but was quickly tackled before he got up to rocket speed. Stroud did well to keep the ball though and Will kicked long. ORich were pinned back for a few minutes and then kicked themselves and this time Laurie was there for the catch and run back. ORich were penalised which gave Stroud another attacking option. This time Jedd crashed through a few tackles but ORich managed to win a turnover and kicked the ball back but Joe was waiting and ran to the right but cut back inside instead of backing himself to run for the corner. At the next breakdown Stroud were penalised and the full-time whistle was blown.

Final Score: Old Richians 5 – 40 Stroud

The players clapped each other off the pitch in tunnels which emphasised the great spirit the game was played in and the good technique and effort shown by both teams. Great credit to Old Richians for keeping their spirits up and playing really well in the 2nd half and winning the breakdown battle on numerous occasions. For a small squad that has recently got a few new players they combined really well and did themselves justice on the pitch.

Team debrief was held and the positives were emphasised and a reminder of the areas of improvement required – especially against the stronger teams we will play in next few months that will punish us. Special praise was given to the new boys Darrian and Harry and also to land-locked Eddie who had a storming game at prop and wasn’t missing his sailing boat at all.

A warm down run and stretch was conducted with a distinct lack of enthusiasm from some players. If only you talked that loud on the pitch you’d know exactly where your supporting players were and the best pass/decision to make!

Now for an exclusive scoop and some waffle in homage to our ice cream inspired location……..

Old Richians led by their big forwards Ben and Jerry were Magnuminous in defeat. A (raspberry) ripple of applause from all parents welcomed the players off the pitch – they were bowled over by the skills on show. Another Sundae of rugby complete and a Feast of rugby enjoyed by all. Now to go home and Flake out. Happy days, or Haagen Dazs as they say in the Forest…… What a Corny(etto) ending to finish on……

Thanks to Old Richians for their food and hospitality and we look forward to playing them again in the New Year at Fromehall.