Special Night Brings out a Special Performance from Everyone

It was Friday night and it was rugby night in Stroud. Tour side Chobham from Surrey were visiting with two teams to play a double header of games against Painswick and Stroud.

Rumours were rife that as the games were under lights and the Sky TV European rugby game wasn’t very popular that Stroud would be asked to be live streamed as a replacement. Techno whizz Keyan set up his phone in anticipation and started streaming to his videoblog website. The Internet crashed as his massive following (3 people at last count?) watched the warmups keenly. Social media erupted as Will, Dave and Orgy also joined the media scrum. Then Keyan’s phone ran out of battery and Sky pulled the plug on the deal. Would have to rely on the match reporter to write this one up again…..

Chobham were celebrating their 50th anniversary so it was apt they ignored the honey pot coastal tour locations and chose to visit Gloucestershire and play some of the oldest clubs in the country. As they had left school early on a rugby “educational visit” (and their history teacher paid me £20) I provide historical data at these links: Painswick and Stroud

1st game up was Painswick (the original Cherry and Whites) vs Chobham. It was a fantastic game of fast flowing rugby by both teams. Chobham took the lead, then Joe scored 2 tries before Chobham equalised on half time. In the 2nd half Painswick tired and Chobham ran in 3 more tries to finish with a well deserved 2 5-10 victory but both teams had been highly entertaining and committed with their play. Poor Jo was already blowing after reefing this game and trying to keep up with the long breaking runs and the constant turnovers with great breakdown play by both teams. Thanks to the Stroud boys Stoner, Sauce, Joe, Archie, Josh and Alex for putting in a hard shift to play for Painswick.

Now it was time for Stroud to try and emulate what Painswick did and put in a great performance. Could they do it in front of a raucous crowd of parents – nicely oiled with the amber nectar expertly served by the bar staff?

Forwards: Stoner, Liam, Sauce, Mr T, Laurie, Keyan
Backs: Hilly, Will, Dave, Arthur, Flash, Josh, Alex
Subs: Lucas, Jedd, Darion, Archie, Joe
Water Boys: The injured Orgy, Callum and Nibbler

Stroud kicked off and Chobham expertly took control of the ball and ran through a number of different phases to gain yardage into the Stroud half. They threatened left and then came back to the right and with perfect passing between their backs opened a gap which they exploited with a powerful straight run that was rewarded with the first try of the game. 5-0 to the tourists. Stroud were in shock. Normally they start fast but this showed that Chobham were going to be formidable opposition.

Chobham kicked off and Liam took kick return duties. A ruck formed and Laurie secured possession with good clearing out. The backs went right and left before Flash was tackled out of play. Chobham took the line-in pass and attacked again to the left and right. As a repeat of the 1st try threatened they changed it up with a clever kick to the corner that Stoner did well to shepherd out of play with the pacy Chobham fly half threatening to recover the ball and score. Chobham had another line-in pass and again showed their passing prowess with attacking moves left and right. Stroud were immense in defense though and managed to keep them out. A combination of Stoner and Mr T forced a turnover that Will took advantage of with a clever run that then found Liam willing to take it straight up the gut. As the Chobham defense closed on Liam he saw a streaking Dave flash past and the perfect pop-pass was all it needed for Dave to light the afterburners and run the length of the pitch to level the scores at 5-5 when 0-10 looked more likely. When the applause subsided we could still hear his Dad shouting “gas, gas, gas” from his Keyan phone-streamed vantage point 100 miles away.

Stroud kicked off and Chobham caught it well and ran it back but Keyan snuffed out the attack. Chobham won the ruck and attacked to the right but Arthur was there to slow down the play. The game was reset with a Chobham scrum due to injury timeout. Chobham with a strong push won the scrum and attacked left. Hilly was alert enough to put in a good tackle to deny them an opening. Chobham were not to be denied and attacked left and looked to have found a gap but Sauce put in a good tackle. The ball came loose and Dave was there to pick it up and run it back down the right wing to give Stroud the lead at 10-5.

Chobham kicked off and Flash ran it back. Stroud won the ruck and Arthur cut down the left wing but good tackle positioning forced him out of play. Chobham took the line-in pass and attacked left through a few phases. Eventually Stroud forced a turnover that Liam picked up and rumbled forward but he was tackled out of play. Another Chobham line-in and they elected to kick deep. Alex recovered the ball and ran it back well. Flash took the ball on and was tackled out of play. Chobham’s defensive positioning and tackling was excellent showing how well coached they were and Stroud were being made to work hard to create gaps to exploit.

Chobham took the line-in but Lucas (on for Sauce) put in a powerful tackle that forced a turnover that Stoner exploited with a strong run. Eventually Stroud lost the ball and Chobham attacked deep into Strouds half. Laurie forced a turnover and Hilly got the ball out quickly to Will and Stroud looked to attack again from inside their 22 but the Chobham centre saw the danger and expertly intercepted the ball and looked certain to score but again Dave and Alex combined to stop the score. Chobham recycled the ball a few times though but Stroud somehow kept them out – forwards and backs contributing in equal measure to stop Chobham from scoring.

Eventually Chobham were penalised and Will kicked long but this just gave their full back a chance to show his skills with a weaving run back to the left corner. He was tackled by Arthur and Stroud won the ruck. Miner Hilly dug out the ball and passed to Dave who attacked right. At the perfect time he offloaded to Josh – sorry Usain Bolt - who ran the length of the pitch to score in the right corner. 1 minute later ref Jo caught up with play and awarded the try for a 15-5 lead.

Chobham kicked off and Wil ran it back. The Stoner and Josh made more yardage. Chobham were penalised and Will took a quick tap penalty to the right. Dave took the ball on and as space ran out he kicked deep for the try line. Chobham did well to recover the ball and kick the ball deep themselves. The ball was bouncing out of play on left wing when Alex showed superb body position to catch the ball, stay in play, avoid the 2 chasing defenders and then draw the 3rd man while offloading inside to Arthur who ran in the 4th try.

Stroud took kick off duties and went deep. Chobham kicked back themselves giving Stroud a line-in. Will faked left and threw a long pass right that Dave and Liam took advantage of. The ball came back left and Flash made a good swerving run. Laurie and Lucas combined well to win the ruck and Mr T took the pick and pounding run option. Strong tackling from Chobham brought him down though but the ball was kept alive to the right until it was knocked on. Chobham won their scrum and attacked right and then more good forward play gave them the chance to attack left. Keyan was waiting with a devastating tackle that jarred the ball loose and to add insult to (thankfully no) injury he picked it up and ran it down the right wing to score in the corner to give Stroud the lead as half time whistle blew.

It had been an enthralling half of rugby and somehow Stroud had come out on top but the game was much closer than the scoreline suggested. If Chobham had taken the 10-0 lead would they have gone on to punish us?

Half Time: Stroud 25–5 Chobham

Subs were rotated into play and Flash moved to scrum half and Hilly moved out to the wing – ready for another Rob Andrew inspired tackling display on the Jonah Lomu sized Chobham players.

Chobham kicked off and before you could say “Usain Junior” Darion had caught the ball and sprinted back the length of the pitch and showed great poise to side step the full back to score a great individual try up the middle. 30-5 to Stroud.

Another Chobham kick off and this time Keyan did the same and ran back up the right wing for another breakaway try for 35-5. Chobham were starting to tire now. 3 hours on a coach was taking its toll and Stroud were able to exploit this.

Stroud kicked off and Chobham ran it back. Chobham were awarded a penalty and ran left but Will was there with a strong tackle. Schobham showed great resolve to recycle the ball back to the right and then back to the left. Their heads hadn’t dropped and they still wanted to play attacking rugby. Chobham then changed tact and kicked up the middle but Arthur at full back caught the ball and went on a weaving run that ended up with him diving over the line for the 8th try. Dave and Keyan were then rested from the game.

Stroud kicked off and Chobham kept the ball alive well. They won a scrum and attacked left but Alex at centre put in a strong tackle. Stroud took the turnover and threatened to score but knocked on. Chobham won their scrum and kicked the ball deep to relieve the pressure. This just gave them the opportunity to tackle Jedd who took the line-in pass at pace. Stroud were penalised and Chobham’s big guy blasted through the Stroud tackles and threatened to score but Arthur was able to slow him up. In the next phase Chobham had a scrum and attacked right and left and looked to have a chance to score with an overlap but Alex managed to rip-tackle the ball loose and Joe picked it up and ran the length of the pitch to score a try for 45-5.

Stroud kicked off and Archie did a great kick chase to put in a strong tackle and win another turnover. Flash passed left to Arthur who then saw Hilly in the perfect position. Hilly weaved up the wing and was close to scoring but a great tackle from Chobham stopped him short and Chobham soon after earnt a penalty. Chobham wanted to keep attacking and ran it out from under their posts – backing their skills to beat the Stroud defense. Stroud held firm though and Chobham only earnt a scrum. This became a penalty when Stroud pushed too quick. Chobham kicked high and a weird bounce landed in the hands of the kick chaser who kept the attack going. Archie tackled him but Chobham showed great technique to throw long passes out to the left. The ball came back right and Chobham broke through the middle but Alex tackled them strongly. Still Chobham kept coming in waves showing their great team spirit. Laurie stopped them, then Joe did well to tackle the player out of play.

Stroud had the line-in pass but after a few phases they lost it. Chobham pounced and attacked left and right. Some high tackles with advantage kept the attack going and they eventually worked it right and then back to the left and were rewarded with a try for their never-say-die attitude. 45-10 was the Stroud lead.

Chobham kicked off and Liam ran it back. A ruck formed and Lucas and Darion cleared out well. Flash passed to Alex who ran right, drew the defender and then passed to Dave who scored in the right corner. 50-10 was the lead now. Stroud kicked off deep and Chobham again showed their fighting spirit with more long passes between their backs. Mr T put in a great tackle to slow them down. Chobham kicked deep but Arthur ran it back well. Lucas did an immense clearout at the ruck. Liam exploited the cavernous gap Lucas had created with a pick and run. The ball then came out to Archie who ran left and then saw Exocet Dave who sprinted up left wing for another try for 55-10. The entertainment didn’t stop here. The injured player that Lucas had knocked into next week was recovered from the pitch by his father to songs from the Chobham parents. Next stop Glastonbury?

Stroud kicked off and Chobham ran it back. They were awarded a penalty and they attacked well again. Both sets of parents and coaches were willing them to score another try as a reward for their relentless efforts throughout both games. They kept the ball alive and with great attacking skill worked it into the Stroud 22. Just as it looked like they had created an overlap they lost the ball in a ruck and Flash sniped down the side and ran the length of the pitch to score the last try of the game and make it 60-10.

Full Time: Stroud 60 - 10 Chobham

Players shook hands and formed tunnels to applaud each other of the pitch showing the great spirit the game had been played in. Players and parents retreated to the clubhouse to be fed copious amounts of well prepared food.

Chobham exchanged tour plaques, did their songs and speeches - all adding to a great club atmosphere with everyone mixing together and enjoying the festivities. Eventually the bar was drunk dry and Chobham left to continue their tour with a day in Glos doing events and then matches vs Old Pats on Sunday. Best of luck to them.

To re-live this event more often and reduce the pressure on Sunday morning pitches I have an idea that we should offer to play all our games under lights – just need to feed the hamsters a bit more so they pedal harder to keep the floodlights going long enough. Lets see if Gloucester can play as well as us at Kingsholm tonight vs Cardiff Blues.

Chobham were fantastic in their skills and spirit they played the game. The scoreline flattered Stroud and 7-5 was a fairer reflection of how close the game was and it was Strouds defense and then ability to quickly turn a turnover into attack that won them the game. It was their best game of the season left to the best occasion. It was even better than beating Longlevens in the County Cup and we all know how much we enjoyed that game – in the minus 6 windchill of Feb at Archway…..

Saturday update: I spoke to Chobham and they thanked us for a great night and confirmed that none of their players have lasting injuries.

Thanks

This would become the longest match report ever if I thanked everyone individually so keeping it brief.

• Nicky and Adam for running the bar
• The catering staff for putting on a splendid spread. Special thanks to Tori and family for getting there early to set up tables etc. It is not yet official but we have it on good authority she might have set a Guinness World Record with her mum April or (Mrs Fools to the kids) for the largest pan of Chilli made in Gloucestershire
• The other helpers who served/cleaned and sold sweets etc
• Ref Jo for doing a double shift and giving himself the excuse to not go to gym for next 3 weeks
• Medic Delia for patching up all 3 sets of players, sweeping the injured ones off the pitch and then sweeping the floor at the clubhouse
• Stroud coaches for seeing their hard work all fall into place. Even the fitness stuff is working for the kids to put on a show like that after a long week at school and not get themselves injured
• Painswick players and coach Rich for playing so well and contributing to the spectacle
• All the parents that supported so well and made a great atmosphere
• And finally Chobham for their enthusiasm both on and off the pitch and mixing in so well with our parents to make a very enjoyable night of youth rugby.

This sets us up nicely to go on a festival tour to Barnstaple end of April. Remember to order your hoodies ASAP.