Nomads secure a well deserved win

As in many previous weeks, Nomads were only able to field 15 players however a major boost was that all 15 were playing in their regular positions. Nomads again were denied the opportunity to scrummage as Old Boys were unable to field a front row.
A large pitch that was surprisingly dry given the recent weather would encourage Nomads to use their back line but a strong wind and deceptively steep slope would certainly mean the forwards would have their share of close quarter work to get through.
Squad: 1 Ashton Herbert 2 Lee Marshall 3 Josh Merrett 4 Adam Clark 5 Ryan Kibble 6 Chris Jones 7 Nick Stringer 8 Mark Samak 9 Callum Gibbs 10 Luke Peer 11 Tom Munson 12 Cory Baker 13 Tom Taylor 14 Oscar Adamson 15 Ben Dodd
Old Boys kicked off with the benefit of the wind and the slope. A secure take from Kibble set the platform for the forwards working off Gibbs. Strong carries from Merrett and Jones took play up towards the 10m line before Gibbs fed Peer to find good distance on a kick and push play into the Old Boys half. A great chase from Munson forced a knock on and a penalty for offside. Peer kicked for the corner and Nomads had some good early territory. Despite the strong wind, an accurate throw from Marshall found Stringer which set up a forward drive before Gibbs released the backs. Peer and Baker found Taylor on a powerful line but he was well tackled. Pick and drives from Clark and Marshall continued the momentum before Nomads were pulled up for accidentally running into their own player awarding Old Boys the chance to clear.
Nomads were controlling the possession but were very secure in defence when Old Boys did have the ball. Baker and Taylor were dominant in the centres against Old Boys big ball carriers whilst Jones and Samak were stopping any great inroads closer to the ruck. As well as strong forward carries, Nomads were also willing to spread the ball wider. Peer looked to spread the ball wider and good hands from Baker and Taylor released Adamson on the right wing. Elusive as ever, he evaded the first tackler before being dragged down just outside the 22. Gibbs found Herbert with a short pop and he powered through a number of tacklers and seemed destined to score before being eventually hauled down only metres out. Unfortunately, the ball was lost forward at the breakdown allowing Old Boys to clear again. Nomads did not let the frustration of not scoring get to them and continued to be patient. Kibble was the next forward to break the defensive line with strong run before Gibbs and Peer released Dodd to make further ground up the right hand side. An intelligent chip through from Gibbs was well followed up by Stringer and Adamson and forced a knock on from Old Boys only 5m out. From the scrum, Samak picked and drew in a defender before feeding Baker on a hard line, who crashed through two tacklers to score out wide. 0-5.
Old Boys kicked short but Clark was able to snap up loose ball and allow Merrett, Kibble and Herbert to carry well before Gibbs fed Peer, who again found Baker willing to take the direct route. Taking the play up to half way, Nomads then switched the play with Gibbs finding Taylor whose well timed pass allowed Munson to make ground up the left wing. Securing possession, Gibbs found Herbert, who again needed multiple defenders to drag him down. Quick ball allowed Samak to make a half break and put the defence on the back foot. More swift distribution from Gibbs found Peer, who found Jones on his shoulder and the flanker was able to power over by the posts. Peer converted. 0-12.
Old Boys pressurised their own kick-off but knocked on, allowing Nomads one more opportunity before half time. Samak picked from the scrum and made good ground before Gibbs released the backs. Baker and Taylor made space for Dodd, who weaved through a number of tacklers before being felled just outside the 22. Just as it looked as though Nomads were looking to threaten the line again a knock on at the base ended the first half.
Half Time​Gloucester Old Boys 2nd XV 0​​Stroud 2nd XV 12
Peer started the second half and an excellent chase from Marshall and Stringer immediately put Old Boys under pressure. They tried to move the ball away from contact but were closed down by a combination of Jones, Baker and Taylor. Good counter rucking led by Herbert and Samak forced a handling error and awarded Nomads an attacking scrum just outside the 22. Gibbs fed Peer, who once again found Baker running the short line but this time he was able to offload to Samak on the loop. Dragging in the Old Boys centre, he was able to off load out the back to the supporting Peer, who surged over out wide. He was able to convert his own score to extend the lead. 0-19.
With the wind strengthening, Clark did well to secure the kick off before setting up a strong carries from Kibble and Jones to take play up to half way. Good hands from Peer and Baker freed Munson to make ground on the left. Gibbs was able to spread play back to the right where Dodd and Adamson combined to take play within 5m of the Old Boys line before being forced into touch. Excellent competition at the lineout from Kibble forced an error and awarded Nomads a scrum. In an almost identical play to the first half, Samak picked and went blind before finding Baker on a powerful line to crash over again. 0-24.
Samak picked up loose ball from the kick off and made good ground up to halfway. Jones carried on the momentum before once again the ball went wider. Baker and Taylor freed Dodd, who dummied and attacked the gap. Scything through the Old Boys defence, he surged into the 22m and was only dragged down 5m out. Great follow up play from Munson secured the ball and allowed Adamson, who tracked play from the opposite wing to pick up and drive over. Peer converted. 0-31.
Jones left the field through injury but Nomads continued to attack. Samak again made good ground from the base of a scrum before Gibbs and Peer released Taylor to make ground down the right. Switching play back to the left, Gibbs fed Herbert, who again showed great power to surge into the Old Boys 22. Quick ball allowed Gibbs and Peer to free Baker, who cut back inside to dive over for his third try. 0-36.
To their credit Old Boys never gave up and forced a penalty from the kickoff. Taking it quickly, Nomads were found to be off the pace for the only time in the game allowing Old Boys to exploit an overlap on the right and free their winger, who ran around under the posts. Try converted. 7-36.
Keen to regain the momentum, Nomads immediately put pressure on the kickoff with Clark and Stringer causing disruption and forcing a knock on. From the scrum, another pick from Samak again fed Baker, who continued to attract a number of tacklers. As the ball went right, Taylor and Dodd combined to make good ground. Adamson was able to secure the ball as it went loose and allow the attack to continue. Gibbs switched the play back to the left where Kibble carried strongly into the 22 before finding Peer on an excellent line to accelerate through to score. Again he converted his own try. 7-43.
This try was at a cost as Adamson remained on the ground with a neck injury. An ambulance was called and it was agreed that the game should end with the score to stand.
Full Time​Gloucester Old Boys 2nd XV 7​​Stroud 2nd XV 43
After three narrow defeats, this was a welcome and well deserved victory for the Nomads. Excellent contributions from all 15 players ensured a patient, efficient performance that again showed the attacking potential Nomads possess as well as their commitment in defence.
This was a game played in a great spirit by both teams, officiated by a referee who allowed the game to flow. Nomads hope to continue this positive momentum when they visit Old Richians next Saturday, 16th February (1430).
Best wishes go to Oscar Adamason for a speedy recovery and we hope it’s not too long before we see him in a Nomads shirt again.