The Nomads started the Gloucestershire Reserve League season with a home fixture at Archway School. Once again, numbers were at a premium with injuries and call ups to the 1st XV having a particular impact on the back division.

Nomads were only able to field 14 players with a number of lads having to play out of position.
Team: C Foote, S Davies, J Merrett, B Stephens, L Marshall, B Reid, M Samak, C Gibbs, G Nash, O Smith, C Jones, N Stringer, S Strange, F Stephenson.

With Chosen Hill unable to field a front row, uncontested scrums were enforced. The game began with Stroud controlling possession and positive work from the forwards and a break from Aussie Bob took play into opposition territory. Line out ball was regularly secured from Ben Stephens and Aussie Bob as a result of accurate throwing from Sam Davies despite the wet conditions. Half breaks from Grant Nash and Ollie Smith however could not be converted into scores.

Chosen Hill took advantage and scored a breakaway try under the posts. Another score quickly followed again under the posts but the conversion was charged down by Sam Strange. These two quick scores seemed to galvanise Nomads with Freddy Stephenson returning a kick with interest and good link up work with Nick Stringer freeing Mark Samak, who was forced into touch just short of the line.​
Half Time Nomads 0 – 12

The weather was worsening, sheeting rain now hammering down on the Archway field, making handling even tougher. Nomads continued their positive work and began the second half on the front foot. A series of pick and goes gave the team some momentum before Ollie Smith broke the defensive line only to be dragged down just short of the line.

More effective work from the forwards resulted in Charlie Foote driving over from short range to reduce the gap.
Nomads were soon back deep in opposition territory with a clever kick from Callum Gibbs and an excellent chase from Ollie Smith putting pressure on the Chosen Hill line. What followed was a continuous barrage of short range drives that were unfortunate not to result in tries with Charlie Foote, Chris Jones and Lee Marshall unlucky not to score. Excellent defence from Chosen Hill kept their line intact until the final whistle.

Thanks to all the lads for a brave performance with 14 men in horrendous conditions. Many positives should be taken and hopefully with players returning soon and a continuation of the fantastic spirit shown on Saturday; Nomads will be back on the winning trail.

Thanks to Archway School for the use of their facilities and to Chosen Hill for an excellent contest despite the conditions.