9 September 2023
Stroud began their Counties 2 North programme a week late after last week’s unfortunate postponement. With the pitch looking excellent, the sun shining and the lads decked out in the new 150 shirts, all was set for an excellent afternoon’s rugby. The hot, humid conditions were bound to have an effect but hopes were high as a side with a real mixture of youth and experience took the field.

1 Jason Richings 2 Tom Stone 3 Tommy Allen 4 Chase Stokes 5 Joe Moyland 6 Rhys Sowden 7 Freddie Walls 8 Kieran Rodway 9 Joe Ashenford 10 Tiaan Litton 11 Dean Tattersall 12 Sam Leworthy (Captain) 13 Ben Wilkes 14 Pete Sykes 15 Harry Lightfoot Replacements: Ben Blossett Oscar Adamson Harry Cadwallader-Rowles.

Crypts gained early territory courtesy of a number of penalties conceded by Stroud. Despite having the majority of early possession Crypts could not breech the secure Stroud defence. Eventually, their patience ran out and a speculative kick ricocheted straight to Tattersall (on debut), who collected well and cruised away from the defence, running in from 60m. Ashenford converted. 7-0.

Gaining confidence from this, Stroud began to work through their structure – forwards carried well, with Sowden very prominent, and the backs looked to move the ball wide at every opportunity. The set piece looked solid with the scrum led by Richings, Stone and Allen gaining the early ascendancy. The lineout was also beginning to be more efficient with Rodway, in his new role of thrower, finding Walls and Stokes with increasing accuracy. One Stokes take inside the 22 looked to have set the platform for a solid drive but mis-control stifled the momentum. From the ensuing scrum, Wilkes bravery in the tackle resulted in a particularly nasty head wound, which unfortunately ended his game and sent him to hospital for stitches.

A re-organisation in the backs was needed; Cadwallader-Rowles came on to the wing with Lightfoot moving up into the centre and Tattersall moving to Full Back. A dominant scrum forced a penalty in front of the posts that was kicked by Ashenford. 10-0.

Ashenford was soon back in the action with a trade mark snipe from the base of a ruck before an astute kick ahead pressured the retreating Cryptians Full Back – excellent follow up from Cadwallader-Rowles forced him into touch giving Stroud another excellent attacking platform. Rodway found Stokes – Litton fed Leworthy on the burst and a powerful surge broke the gain line before a sharp interchange of passes led to Litton releasing Cadwallader-Rowles to cross for a debut score of his own. Ashenford converted. 17-0.

Stroud were back on the attack almost instantly and a midfield scrum provided great ball for Litton. A switch with Leworthy and another powerful burst took play beyond halfway before Stroud’s offloading and support play again came to the fore. Leworthy to Lightfoot, Lightfoot to Tattersall and despite a brave last ditch tackle a further offload to Ashenford allowed the scrum-half to complete a superb team try. 22-0.

Crypts to their credit responded well to conceding two quick scores and some concerted pressure forced Stroud back to their own line. Brave defence led by Sowden, Stone and Walls kept the line intact but a floated wide pass found the right winger to cross in the corner. 22-5.

Stroud regained control and again began to work through the phases. Blossett and Moyland (two more on debut) carried securely as Stroud worked Crypts to both sides of the pitch. Just as play was looking to be spread back left, Sykes spotted an opportunity and a blindside call allowed Ashenford to float a beautifully weighted pass. Sykes cruised passed his opposite number to cross for the bonus point try. Ashenford converted. 29-5.

The final try of the half was again well-constructed with forwards and backs working well through the structure. First Litton, whose ability to take the ball to the line pressurised Crypts all afternoon to feed Sykes. The winger as ever beat the first man – making good ground up the right. A strong surge from Rodway took play into the 22 before good recycling allowed Stokes to pull a pass back to Litton. With the defence rushing up, a well-judged cross kick sat up perfectly for Tattersall to steam up and ground in the corner. 34-5.

Half-Time Stroud 34 Old Cryptians 5

The second half started in very much the same way as the first with Crypts attacking. As they looked to go wide – excellent work from Leworthy and Adamson forced a turnover that was gleefully picked up by Tattersall. A deft chip was regathered by the powerful winger, who cruise in for his hat-trick score from halfway. Ashenford converted. 41-5.

From the kick-off, Stroud were straight back on the attack. This time it was Lightfoot, who hit an excellent line off Litton to make 40m straight through the heart of the Crypts defence. Sowden provided the link and continued the momentum before Ashenford spread the play right to Leworthy, who exploited the overlap to cross from 30m out. Ashenford converted. 48-5.

Crypts continued to battle and they capitalised on some mis-communication at a defensive lineout to collect and drive over. 48-10.

Excellent counter rucking led by Allen was quickly supported by the youthful trio of Sowden, Moyland and Stone to force a turnover that Ashenford immediately spread wide. Confident handling released Adamson, whose kick ahead invited Tattersall to again show predatory instincts to outpace the opposition, kick on and ground in the corner. 53-10.

Tattersall turned provider for the next score. A huge surge up the right took play into the Crypts half before a well-executed two on one released Lightfoot to race in for a well-deserved score. 58-10.

The final quarter became one-way traffic with Crypts despite battling bravely, having to compete with a number of injuries. Huge pressure from the Stroud pack forced a knock-on at the base of the scrum, which was soon converted to a penalty through back chat. Alert as ever, Ashenford exposed a tiering defence with a tap and go before release Cadwallader-Rowles to cross on the left. Ashenford converted. 65-10.

The heat was certainly taking its toll however both sides continued to be highly committed. A great piece of thinking from Adamson started the next attack. Tattersall’s kick was partially charged down however Adamson, despite being in front of the kicker, recognised he was onside and combined well with Stone and Leworthy to take play into the Crypts 22. The ball was the spread wide and despite some rare mis-handling, the ball eventually went though a number of pairs of hand before Sykes crossed for his second try. Ashenford converted. 72-10.

The final score was much more of an individual effort. A clearing kick was collected in the backfield by Ashenford, who released Cadwallader-Rowles to step, swerve and outpace a defence that was now literally out on its feet to complete his own hat-trick, ghosting in from 70m. Ashenford converted to end the game. 79-10.

Full Time Stroud 79 Old Cryptians 10

This was a very positive first run out in the league this season and in particular showed how the development of youth at Stroud is now coming into fruition. With forwards becoming increasingly more solid in set-piece and an exciting back division, we should be excited about the challenges ahead. Players, management and supporters all recognise that there will be tough examinations ahead this year but this afternoon should be remembered for some flowing rugby, exciting debuts and Ben Wilkes spilling a load of claret (Best wishes on recovery Ben!)
Man of the Match: Rhys Sowden

Next Week:
1st XV (Away) v Cheltenham North - KO 1500
Nomads (Home) v Drybrook 3rd XV - KO 1500