Lack of options hinder Nomads

Nomads travelled to Longlevens only able to field 13 players with injury, unavailability and call ups to the 1st XV reducing the squad t the bare bones. On a positive note the game gave an opportunity for two Colts players, Joe Owen and Ben Wilkes to start and they certainly made the most of their opportunity.
Longlevens were generous enough to lend Nomads two players throughout the game to ensure parity in numbers (at least to begin with).
1 Longlevens 2 Lee Marshall 3 Damien Cox 4 Adam Clark 5 Ryan Kibble 6 Fred McCllelan 7 Nick Stringer 8 Joe Owen 9 Callum Gibbs 10 Jake Marsh 11 Ben Wilkes 12 Chris Jones 13 Cory Baker 14 Longlevens 15 Ben Dodd
Longlevens kicked off with the benefit of the breeze but an excellent take and return from Owen soon put Nomads on the attack. Instantly taking play back to halfway, he was able to offload to Marshall but the defence was secure and bundled him into touch. A positive start with ball in hand carried on with Marshall and Clark carrying well whilst Owen showed great confidence carrying and offloading on a number of occasions. Unfortunately, Nomads were deprived of possession in the first 20 minutes with the lineout failing to function and the scrum being under pressure even before Nomads lost McCllelan to a back injury, reducing the forward pack to 7 and forcing him to join Phillips and Samak on the touchline and completing an injured back row of almost 140 years of age!
Longlevens on the other hand regularly secured their lineout and looked powerful in the scrum allowing their Number 8 to regularly pick and make good yardage. Marsh, Jones and Baker showed excellent commitment and connection in defence and initially stemmed the tide however a 5m scrum was always only going to have one outcome with the 8 picking and crashing over on the blind side. 5-0.
Making use of the breeze Longlevens opted for territory but always found Dodd and Wilkes keen to run the ball back and both showed excellent footwork in beating multiple tacklers. Nomads, however were often found wanting at the breakdown in the early stages and coughed up possession on a number of occasions, two of which resulted in Longlevens scores.
A fourth try followed from the Longlevens Number 8 and Nomads found themselves really on the back foot 20-0 down with only 25minutes played. From Marsh’s well judged kick off, good pressure from Marshall and Kibble forced a knock on the Stringer was able to secure. Gibbs had some front foot ball for the first time in the game and released Marsh, whose well timed pass found Baker in space. Good hands gave Wilkes some space and the winger made excellent ground up the left. The ball recycled and Owen continued the forward momentum. Pick and drives from Marshall and Kibble pushed play within 5m before Jones picked up and drove over in the corner. Baker converted from the touchline. 20-7.
Another confident kick return from Owen looked to have set the platform for another attack but an untimely knock on and subsequent penalty allowed Longlevens to kick to touch 5m out. They were able to complete a well executed catch and drive to extend their lead. Try converted. 27-7.
Half Time​Longlevens 2nd XV 27​Stroud 2nd XV 7
Longlevens continued their dominance in the set piece in the second half with their lineout in particular operating efficiently and providing regular ball.
The Longlevens 8 was again making good ground having being released by a quick interchange of passes down the blindside. He looked destined to score yet again but incredible desire from Owen, chasing back stopped him meters short. His work only stopped the inevitable for patient work allowed their forwards to crash over out wide. 32-7.
Gibbs and Marsh looked to give Nomads momentum with a number of quickly taken penalties but Longlevens defence was secure. Nomads were committed in defence but the lack of options was beginning to tell and Longlevens were able to exploit space on the Nomads right to score a breakaway try. 37-7.
Wilkes showed his confidence by bravely re-securing the kickoff before setting off on a powerful run. Further carries from Marshall and Kibble took play on before the ball was spread wider. Baker released Dodd, who made good ground but unfortunately was injured in the tackle reducing Nomads numbers even further. Keen to allow the game to continue, Longlevens leant another player but Jones was soon forced off through injury leaving only 10 Nomads left on the field. Longlevens dropped a player but were still able to exploit the space to score wide out on the right.

Full Time ​Longlevens 2nd XV 42​Stroud 2nd XV 7
This was a real struggle of a game for the Nomads, which showed that it is virtually impossible to compete with a strong side like Longlevens, who are well deserving of their top of the league position, with a lack of players and a set piece that struggled to secure ball.
Nomads on paper have the players to compete in games like this but those players are needed out on the pitch more regularly both at training and in matches for the team to progress.
The performances of Owen and Wilkes were real boosts for the future and gave some rays of hope on an otherwise disappointing afternoon.
Nomads look to regain some momentum with a home fixture at Archway School next Saturday (9/3/19) KO 1430.