Back
Sat 08 Dec 2018
Spartans 2
Stroud Rugby
7
48
Nomads secure confidence boosting victory
joshua stratton9 Dec 2018 - 21:46
Share via
The effort and commitment that has been present all season
With recent results going against the Nomads, the lads travelled to Plock Court to face a Spartans side they had defeated in a friendly earlier in the season. Hopes were high with a 16 man squad travelling despite the loss of 2 players to the 1st XV. As well as a full squad, a recognised backline took to the field for the first time in months, including the welcome return of Luke Peer.
Unfortunately, once again there was no appointed referee present so with Spartans only having 15 players Fred McCllellan generously offered to referee the game to allow a 15 on 15 contest. Despite the lack of a whistle, Fred did a sterling job and was helped by the spirit both sides played the game in. With uncontested scrums and an amazingly dry pitch despite recent rain a quick expansive game was in the offing.
Stroud: 1 Rupert Wakefield2 James Nash3 Damien Cox4 Adam Clark5 Nick Stringer 6 Chris Jones 7 Mark Phillips (Captain) 8 Mark Samak 9 Callum Gibbs 10 Jake Marsh 11 Tom Flanagan 12 Luke Peer 13 Tom Taylor 14 Tom Munce 15 Ben Dodd.
Nomads kicked off into a strong breeze and soon showed solidity in defence with Spartans initially using their sizeable forward pack to carry close to the breakdown. Nomads defence was solid with the back row trio of Jones, Phillips and Samak at the forefront with stout tackling and disruption at the breakdown. A typical Phillips turnover was taken on by Stringer and Wakefield before Gibbs and Marsh spread the play wider. Eager to use the backline, Nomads showed confident handling to spread play to Munce, who carried well but was equally well marshalled by the Spartans defence. Nomads were looking threatening in the early phases with Clark and Taylor making ground out wider. With all this early pressure, Nomads seemed destined to score however one breakdown was not secured and the ball squirmed out the side of the ruck allowing the Spartans scrum half to feed their centre, who streaked away from a disrupted defence to score under the posts. 7-0.
Nomads were not fazed by this early disappointment and were soon applying pressure back on Spartans. With inside defence solid, Spartans tried to move the ball wider but were stopped by Flanagan, who not only tackled his opposite number but was instantly back on his feet to force a turnover. Samak was able to collect the ball and carry before spreading play to Phillips and Peer. Accurate hands freed Marsh, who was able to step two defenders before making his way to the line. 7-5.
Quality handling was again on show after Stringer collected the kick-off. Gibbs spread the play to Marsh, who released Taylor on the outside. Taylor made good ground before releasing Flanagan to take play further into Spartans territory. Switching play back to the right Marsh found Phillips breaking the defensive line before offloading to Peer. A well-timed final pass released Dodd on the outside to finish off an excellent team try, running round under the posts. Phillips converted. 7-12.
Nomads were beginning to dominate possession. Phillips and Samak turned over another breakdown to allow Jones to take the ball on in typically powerful fashion. Gibbs found Marsh on the narrow side and he was able to release Flanagan to again make good ground up the wing. Wakefield and Cox carried on the forward momentum before Marsh fed Peer to break the line and cruise over to score. 7-17.
The lineout was functioning well on a difficult day with a strong wind blowing. A Stringer take from an accurate Wakefield throw was driven on before Gibbs and Marsh released Taylor on a strong burst up the middle. Gibbs switched play back to the left and found Phillips running strongly breaking the line before swerving through the last two tacklers to score. He converted his own try to extend the lead. 7-24.
Half Time Spartans 2nd XV 7Stroud Nomads 2nd XV 24
Nomads started the second half with the wind at their backs but were instantly under pressure from a determined Spartans side. Hesitancy at the breakdown allowed Spartans to counter ruck and turn the ball over. Again Spartans started a half looking to keep the ball close and using their big forwards. Solid upfront tackling and good organisation in defence repelled this threat and Spartans looked to spread play wider. The ball went to ground and was secured by Wakefield before Marsh and Peer, despite being inside their own 22, looked to attack and freed Taylor to run in from long range. He converted his own try. 7-31.
Securing the kick-off again proved troublesome for the Nomads and once again Spartans were soon back in possession. Their #8 showed strength in his running and regularly picked up at the scrum but was repelled by solid work from the back row. Another turnover was capitalised on by the Nomads back line when Gibbs and Marsh this time spread the play to Munce, who carried strongly. Efficient work at the clear-out allowed Gibbs to change the direction of play and allow an interchange of passes between Phillips and Peer before Marsh was released to run in from 40m. Try Converted. 7-38.
Looking to play at every opportunity, Nomads did make some handling errors but the solid defence was always able to snuff out any attacks despite strong runs from a number of Spartans players. Phillips and Samak were getting through their share of tackling and were well supported by Jones, Wakefield and Cox to subdue Spartans ball carriers. With Spartans dominating possession in the second half, Nomads opted for territory from one penalty, clearing out of their own 22. Another accurate Wakefield throw this time found Clark, who provided quick ball off the top for Gibbs and Marsh. Peer carried strongly on a hard line before play was spread wider to Flanagan. He again showed good pace and footwork to beat a number of tacklers before being dragged down.
Samak and Gibbs released Dodd from a scrum and he made good yardage in combination with Munce. As the direction of play was once again changed by Gibbs, he found Clark running a powerful line and he was able to crash through a number of tacklers before surging over the line. 7-43.
Spartans to their credit never gave up and they continued to carry strongly however the Nomads defence stood firm. One final Phillips turnover was capitalised on by Samak, who took play into the Spartans half. Jones continued the momentum before Gibbs freed Marsh who looked as though he would cruise in for his hat-trick but unselfishly offloaded to a gleeful Nash to cross for his first try for the club. 7-48.
Full Time Spartans 2nd XV 7Stroud Nomads 2nd XV 48
Undoubtedly, Nomads will face tougher challenges in the games ahead but this should not detract from the inventive, enthusiastic attitude shown by all players during the game. The effort and commitment that has been present all season was finally rewarded with a victory that shows what the Nomads can do when they field a full side with players playing in their recognised positions. Hopefully, Nomads will continue in this positive vein when they face the challenge of Matson 2ndXV at Archway School next Saturday. KO 1415.
Final thanks to Fred McCllellan, who was prepared to for-go his own participation in the game to referee and allow 30 players the opportunity to actually have a game of rugby. I’m sure this was much appreciated by both sides.
Unfortunately, once again there was no appointed referee present so with Spartans only having 15 players Fred McCllellan generously offered to referee the game to allow a 15 on 15 contest. Despite the lack of a whistle, Fred did a sterling job and was helped by the spirit both sides played the game in. With uncontested scrums and an amazingly dry pitch despite recent rain a quick expansive game was in the offing.
Stroud: 1 Rupert Wakefield2 James Nash3 Damien Cox4 Adam Clark5 Nick Stringer 6 Chris Jones 7 Mark Phillips (Captain) 8 Mark Samak 9 Callum Gibbs 10 Jake Marsh 11 Tom Flanagan 12 Luke Peer 13 Tom Taylor 14 Tom Munce 15 Ben Dodd.
Nomads kicked off into a strong breeze and soon showed solidity in defence with Spartans initially using their sizeable forward pack to carry close to the breakdown. Nomads defence was solid with the back row trio of Jones, Phillips and Samak at the forefront with stout tackling and disruption at the breakdown. A typical Phillips turnover was taken on by Stringer and Wakefield before Gibbs and Marsh spread the play wider. Eager to use the backline, Nomads showed confident handling to spread play to Munce, who carried well but was equally well marshalled by the Spartans defence. Nomads were looking threatening in the early phases with Clark and Taylor making ground out wider. With all this early pressure, Nomads seemed destined to score however one breakdown was not secured and the ball squirmed out the side of the ruck allowing the Spartans scrum half to feed their centre, who streaked away from a disrupted defence to score under the posts. 7-0.
Nomads were not fazed by this early disappointment and were soon applying pressure back on Spartans. With inside defence solid, Spartans tried to move the ball wider but were stopped by Flanagan, who not only tackled his opposite number but was instantly back on his feet to force a turnover. Samak was able to collect the ball and carry before spreading play to Phillips and Peer. Accurate hands freed Marsh, who was able to step two defenders before making his way to the line. 7-5.
Quality handling was again on show after Stringer collected the kick-off. Gibbs spread the play to Marsh, who released Taylor on the outside. Taylor made good ground before releasing Flanagan to take play further into Spartans territory. Switching play back to the right Marsh found Phillips breaking the defensive line before offloading to Peer. A well-timed final pass released Dodd on the outside to finish off an excellent team try, running round under the posts. Phillips converted. 7-12.
Nomads were beginning to dominate possession. Phillips and Samak turned over another breakdown to allow Jones to take the ball on in typically powerful fashion. Gibbs found Marsh on the narrow side and he was able to release Flanagan to again make good ground up the wing. Wakefield and Cox carried on the forward momentum before Marsh fed Peer to break the line and cruise over to score. 7-17.
The lineout was functioning well on a difficult day with a strong wind blowing. A Stringer take from an accurate Wakefield throw was driven on before Gibbs and Marsh released Taylor on a strong burst up the middle. Gibbs switched play back to the left and found Phillips running strongly breaking the line before swerving through the last two tacklers to score. He converted his own try to extend the lead. 7-24.
Half Time Spartans 2nd XV 7Stroud Nomads 2nd XV 24
Nomads started the second half with the wind at their backs but were instantly under pressure from a determined Spartans side. Hesitancy at the breakdown allowed Spartans to counter ruck and turn the ball over. Again Spartans started a half looking to keep the ball close and using their big forwards. Solid upfront tackling and good organisation in defence repelled this threat and Spartans looked to spread play wider. The ball went to ground and was secured by Wakefield before Marsh and Peer, despite being inside their own 22, looked to attack and freed Taylor to run in from long range. He converted his own try. 7-31.
Securing the kick-off again proved troublesome for the Nomads and once again Spartans were soon back in possession. Their #8 showed strength in his running and regularly picked up at the scrum but was repelled by solid work from the back row. Another turnover was capitalised on by the Nomads back line when Gibbs and Marsh this time spread the play to Munce, who carried strongly. Efficient work at the clear-out allowed Gibbs to change the direction of play and allow an interchange of passes between Phillips and Peer before Marsh was released to run in from 40m. Try Converted. 7-38.
Looking to play at every opportunity, Nomads did make some handling errors but the solid defence was always able to snuff out any attacks despite strong runs from a number of Spartans players. Phillips and Samak were getting through their share of tackling and were well supported by Jones, Wakefield and Cox to subdue Spartans ball carriers. With Spartans dominating possession in the second half, Nomads opted for territory from one penalty, clearing out of their own 22. Another accurate Wakefield throw this time found Clark, who provided quick ball off the top for Gibbs and Marsh. Peer carried strongly on a hard line before play was spread wider to Flanagan. He again showed good pace and footwork to beat a number of tacklers before being dragged down.
Samak and Gibbs released Dodd from a scrum and he made good yardage in combination with Munce. As the direction of play was once again changed by Gibbs, he found Clark running a powerful line and he was able to crash through a number of tacklers before surging over the line. 7-43.
Spartans to their credit never gave up and they continued to carry strongly however the Nomads defence stood firm. One final Phillips turnover was capitalised on by Samak, who took play into the Spartans half. Jones continued the momentum before Gibbs freed Marsh who looked as though he would cruise in for his hat-trick but unselfishly offloaded to a gleeful Nash to cross for his first try for the club. 7-48.
Full Time Spartans 2nd XV 7Stroud Nomads 2nd XV 48
Undoubtedly, Nomads will face tougher challenges in the games ahead but this should not detract from the inventive, enthusiastic attitude shown by all players during the game. The effort and commitment that has been present all season was finally rewarded with a victory that shows what the Nomads can do when they field a full side with players playing in their recognised positions. Hopefully, Nomads will continue in this positive vein when they face the challenge of Matson 2ndXV at Archway School next Saturday. KO 1415.
Final thanks to Fred McCllellan, who was prepared to for-go his own participation in the game to referee and allow 30 players the opportunity to actually have a game of rugby. I’m sure this was much appreciated by both sides.
Further reading
Team Sponsors
