Wingers put on a flying performance in the shadow of RAF Fairford

Stroud met at a blustery Fairford to play a new team that were a joint Fairford/Faringdon merger. A nice big pitch was waiting for us that should give us plenty of space to show off our skills. The wind was going to have an impact on the game and you could see why they had decided to build a massive airbase close by. Would Stroud lead the attack with an aerial bombardment inspired by the B52’s or would Fairford call in the fighter jets to repel our flying backs?

Will and Keyan had taken last weeks half-time Thornbury instructions from the ref to have the 2nd half off quite literally and declared themselves unavailable to play this weekend – or was it the school rugby Sevens tournament at Rosslyn Park that they couldn’t afford to risk an injury for?

Will declined the offer of writing the match report and instead volunteered to be joint water carrier and linesman. Any excuse to avoid more English fiction homework! Or was it a chance to over rule his dad who was going to ref the game.

Forwards: Liam, Orgy, Sauce, Mr T, Laurie, Stoner
Backs: Hilly, Ryan, Dave, Arthur, Flash, Finn, Alex
Subs: Lucas, Jedd, Darion, Archie, Josh, Eddie, Callum, Joe (Edgar didn’t play due to injury in warmups)

Fairford with the wind to their backs kicked off high and short and Finn ran it back well. Laurie and Stoner then took the next two powerful runs which set up Liam to punch his way through the defensive line. He was dragged down but quick support from Sauce won the breakdown and Hilly quickly got the ball out to Dave who powered to the right and unselfishly passed to Finn who completed the scoring run with a cut back inside and a score unopposed. 5-0 to Stroud.

Dave kicked long for Stroud and Fairford let it bounce before then kicking long themselves. Alex was ready with a clean catch and run back. A few phases of forward play were punctuated with alternating scrums. Fairford were playing well with their powerful forwards and skilful #10 taking it in turns to pound the Stroud defensive line and getting closer to the try line. Eventually the ball came out left and they scored a well deserved try to level the score at 5-5.

Another Dave kickoff and Fairford attacked left but good tackling and breakdown play by Laurie and Orgy won a turnover. Stroud quickly attacked with Ryan and Arthur. Then out to Liam on another crash ball with another ruck win by Sauce and Stoner. Hilly passed out quickly to Dave who was unlucky to knockon. Fairford were awarded the scrum but Orgy did really well to steal the ball against the head. This gave Dave the chance to attack left. He passed onto Arthur who took more players out of the game with a perfect pass when tackled to Flash who touched down in the left corner for a 10-5 lead.

Fairford decided to kickoff deep and Alex caught it and ran it back. Eventually Stroud lost the ball in a ruck and Fairford had a chance to attack to the right but were hesitant and Arthur spotted his chance and did a typical rip tackle and then sprinted the length of the pitch to make it 15-5.

Another long Fairford kick off and another Alex weaving run back. More alternating attacking phases ended up with Fairford threatening to score their 2nd try. Stout defense from Stoner forced a turnover that Alex then kicked deep to relieve the pressure. Laurie and Sauce helped force another turnover that gave Arthur and Ryan the chance to attack both left and right. Fairford were penalised and Stoner took the penalty run and made good yardage. Ryan took the ball left and Mr T helped win the ruck. The ball then came back to the right and Dave passed to Alex who then passed back to a looping Dave who then passed to Finn who sprinted down the right wing for a great finish to a great backs move and extend the lead to 20-5. So much for the swirling wind causing problems with the passing moves.

Fairford kicked off again and Dave ran it back. A ruck formed and just as another backs move seemed imminent Hilly saw the gap and sprinted down the side of the breakdown to surprise everyone. Luckily the forwards were well positioned to win the ruck and the ball went right and then back to the left before it ended up in Daves hands and he somehow squeezed past three tackles to power over the line and score the 5th try, but rewarded with an injury that then prompted a number of sub changes in forwards and backs.

Alex had a go at kick off duties and the ball went short and an alert Ryan picked it up and ran right. The ball came out to Joe who was unlucky to knock on. Fairford won their scrum and kicked deep and Finn now at full back ran it back well. The ball came out to the right and Joe made more good yardage. Then the ball came back through more hands to the left with Liam benefiting with another forceful crash ball run. Another ruck win with Callum and Darion clearing out well gave Hilly the chance to pass out to Arthur who sprinted down the left wing to score to make it 30-5. Unfortunately Callum had to go off injured after taking a pounding in the scrum and breakdowns.

Ryan had a go at kick off duties and the ball eventually bounced out. Fairford had a line-in pass that they then took advantage of and kicked deep. Joe ran it back well. Eddie was back in the team after many weeks away sailing - the windy conditions reminding him of gales off the South coast. Eddie picked up the ball and went on a strong run. Good support from the forwards gave Darion the chance to attack with the ball. Next was Liam punching another hole in the defence. Quick ball from Hilly came right and the backs quickly passed it out to Joe who sprinted down the right wing and scored in the corner for a 35-5 lead.

Another kick off and Hillys chance to shine. They were enjoying the chance to practice kick offs under the scrutiny of Will who was watching from the sideline. Fairford ran it back but knocked on during a strong Stoner tackle. Stroud won the scrum but lost the ball in the next move. Hilly snuffed out a Fairford attack with a brave tackle against their big guy. Defence turned to attack with Arthur running the ball back and offloading in the tackle to Joe. Fairford did well to earn a penalty and attacked to the right and Arthur and then Archie took it in turns to put in good tackles. Fairford were determined to keep the pressure on and attacked to the left. Stoner chased down the player and did a slightly illegal tackle (OK – a WWE throw down!) that was penalised. Fairford were quick to take the penalty and ran right and scored another good try in the corner to close to 35-10 as the half time whistle blew.

Half Time: Fairford 10 – 35 Stroud

Now Stroud had the wind to their backs but the Stroud kick off went short and Fairford opted for a scrum on half way that they duly won. They attacked right but Josh put in two strong tackles in consecutive passages of play to slow them down. Fairford were awarded a scrum and attacked left and then right. Still Josh was waiting for them with another good tackle. Fairford attacked back down the centre and Ryan put in a good tackle. An alert Alex picked up the loose ball and quickly passed to Arthur who ran straight to score under the posts and extend the lead to 40-10.

Stroud kicked off and Fairford passed the ball out of play. Stroud took the line-in pass with a pounding Liam run. Then the ball came out to the right and Josh ran past a few tackles and looked close to scoring a try but was forced out of play on the line. Fairford took the line-in pass and kicked short and Flash fielded it well but the ball was lost at the next breakdown. Fairford again kicked deep to relieve the pressure. Darion took the line-in pass and made good distance. Lucas helped win the ball at the ruck and Eddie did a pick and run. As the Fairford players got sucked into the breakdown Flash at #9 saw the opportunity and the ball came through all the backs hands out to winger Joe who ran down the left wing and scored another try for 45-10.

Alex kicked off deep and Fairford then played aerial ping pong and kicked it back which forced a Stroud knock on. Fairfords powerful pack won their scrum and they attacked left and right. Darion won a turnover and then Josh took on the attack. Ryan was supporting well and took an inside pass to keep the move alive. Sauce helped win the ruck and the ball came out to Jedd who was hiding in the backs. He went on a pounding run which Fairford did well to repel. Play alternated on both sides with another highlight being Jedd attacking and at last moment passing onto Liam. The next attack went via Archie with a weaving run.

Fairford were still competing well though and were winning their scrums. Their sniping scrum half got the ball and was held up which gave Jedd the chance to rip tackle the ball away. Then Mr T went for a long pass that Stroud knocked on. Stroud won the scrum against the head though and Dave and Arthur attacked left. Then back to the right with Finn down the middle. Then Laim again up the middle. Finally out to Joe who flew down the left wing and scored to bring up the half century. 50-10 to Stroud.

Fairford kicked off and Dave ran it back. He was getting squeezed out on the right wing so kicked long for the try area and then out sprinted a few Fairford defenders to dive on the ball and score a great individual try to make it 55-10.

Dave - with 1 lung left in the try area - kicked off short and Hilly put in a good tackle. Fairford were running out of ideas and were getting forced backwards trying to find a gap. Dave saw his chance and rip tackled the ball and jogged into the end zone to score another try and recover his rested lung.

Now Dave upto full breath kicked long. Fairford ran it back well but Mr T forced a turnover and the ball went right with Archie. Josh was unfortunate to knock on and Fairford were awarded a scrum. Mr T held up the attacker and Liam ripped the ball loose. Hilly benefited with an attacking run to the left but the ball was lost at the ruck. Fairford attacked back and Laurie was adjudged with a high tackle. Not retreating 10 cost Stroud more penalty yardage. They attacked again but Lucas put in a good tackle. Then Eddie came away with the ball and set up another attack to the right but a final knock on in the wind caused the full time whistle to be blown.

Full Time: Fairford 10 – 60 Stroud

Players formed tunnels and applauded each others efforts. Team debrief was held with the coaches applauding a better 2nd half display and good hands and use of large pitch throughout the game. Just need to work on better tackle technique because shirt tackles will be punished against stronger teams that will run through us. The players then queued for refreshments and compared war wounds. Quite apt as we were in the shadow of RAF Fairford. Also team photos were distributed. In the case of Alex's this formed quite some amusement as to how not to pose for a photo. More unkempt hair than the Dulux dog and more cheese in the grin than Gromit could eat. Just in time for a Mothers day present for next weekend......