All round team performance inspired by Colts

Nomads were back in action looking to put last week’s disappointment at Longlevens behind them. A dry but breezy afternoon at Archway School with a pitch that was in surprisingly good condition despite recent downpours provided the opportunity to regain momentum. Spartans arrived with a huge squad both in terms of number and physical size but Nomads were able to field 17 players themselves although again due to lack of front row options scrums were uncontested.
1 Ryan Kibble 2 Lee Marshall 3 Damien Cox 4 Adam Clark 5 Nick Stringer 6 Connor 7 Joe Owen 8 Mark Samak 9 Callum Gibbs 10 Jake Marsh 11 Tom Munson 12 Jamie Leworthy 13 Cory Baker 14 Dom 15 Ben Wilkes 16 Harry McNeil 17 James Nash.
Nomads kicked off and with the wind sweeping across the pitch the kick was well claimed by Spartans, who looked to instantly get their big forward runners into the game. Solid tackling around the ruck from the back row trio of Connor, Owen and Samak stopped any great gains in territory and eventually forced a knock on. With scrum ball guaranteed, Gibbs and Marsh showed early ambition and freed the backs with Baker carrying well in midfield before the ball was spread wider to Munson. Despite being close to the touchline, was recycled for forward drives from Clark and Marshall. Continuing to work right Gibbs fed Samak whose carry enabled quick ball for Gibbs to release Baker. A perfectly weighted chip through and excellent follow up by Dom enabled him to scoop the ball up and dive over for the opening score with his first touch of the ball. 5-0.
Nomads were soon back on the attack after Stringer had secured the kickoff. Carries from Owen, who continually made good ground all afternoon and Samak took play up to half way before Leworthy hit a typically hard line to get the defence on the back foot. Marsh the used the breeze to his advantage with an astute kick, which ran into touch deep within the opposition 22. Owen caused huge disruption to the Spartans lineout and although they eventually secured possession they could only clear to touch without making any ground. Nomads lineout was much more effective than last week with Marshall regularly finding Owen at the front and on this occasion setting up a cohesive drive in which Connor was only stopped 2m out. Good recycling however produced ball for the backs which again saw Baker come close to crossing the line. A quick switch of play by Gibbs allowed Marsh to cut back against the grain and surge over. 10-0.
Spartans were determined to get a foothold in the game and looked to spread the ball wider as well as use their big ball carriers. Munson and Wilkes were extremely solid in defence and repelled a number of wide surges. Spartans enjoyed a period of possession in the Nomads 22 and despite brave defence from Kibble and Connor in particular were able to use their larger forwards on the pick and drive to score in the corner. 10-5.
With Spartans now on the front foot, Nomads defence was severely tested but close defence was solid and the inside three of Marsh, Leworthy and Baker regularly stopped their opposite numbers behind the gain line. Spartans continued to look to move the ball and appeared to have an overlap but great awareness by Munson allowed him to intercept and set off up field before finding Marsh with a well timed inside pass to allow the fly-half to run in under the posts. Baker converted. 17-5.
With Marshall finding Owen and Clark at the lineouts, Nomads were able to kick to touch from penalties and regularly gain territory. Owen again soared highest to claim Marshall’s throw and set up another drive. Despite Spartans being able to repel the initial surge the ball was secured allowing Marshall and Samak to pick and drive. Spartans were penalised for infringing at the breakdown and this time Nomads opted for the scrum. Switching positions, Owen showed his speed off the mark with an excellent surge from the back of the scrum to drive over under the posts. Baker converted. 24-5.
Nomads finished the half looking to spread the ball wider – Baker , Wilkes and Dom combining well to make good ground before being forced into touch. Munson was also in the action on the left wing with a series of strong tackles but also carried well after combining with Marsh. One carry led to a penalty that Marsh took quickly and seemed to be away and free until being stopped illegally. With a potential flashpoint in the offing, the referee blew for halftime.
Half Time ​Stroud Nomads 24​Spartans 2nd XV 5
Nash and McNeil replaced Cox and Samak as the second half kicked off. Marshall securing possession with a solid take before Kibble and Stringer drove on. An excellent early burst from McNeil took play into the Spartans half before Gibbs and Marsh fed the backs. Leworthy as ever made good ground but unfortunately Nomads were penalised at the breakdown. Spartans secured a lineout and used their forwards to drive into the Nomads 22. Great work from Clark and Owen stopped the initial drive but the forward picks kept coming. Connor and Wilkes showed amazing skill and no little bravery to hold up most of Spartans front row on the line before size old and again a short range drive crossed the line. 24-10.
Nomads looked to respond with a powerful carry by Clark but tempers frayed in the next phase of play as Marsh was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle. A Spartans forward received a straight red for retaliation in the same incident. It was important that Nomads maintained their discipline and not allow this situation to affect them. They certainly did that with Marshall and Owen again combining to win the resultant lineout. Baker fed Wilkes, who made good ground before Gibbs fed Connor. More excellent recycling work allowed Gibbs to find Wilkes, who in combination with Baker showed great handling skills to release Owen in a narrow space on the outside to race in to score. Baker converted. 31-10.
Samak returned to the field, replacing Clark as Nomads continued to press. Owen’s take and powerful surge generated the momentum before the backs spread play to Wilkes, who made ground up the left. Marsh, who had served his 10 minutes, then forced Spartans back into their own 22 with another well placed kick. Huge pressure from Owen forced scrappy ball for Spartans, who knocked on under pressure from Connor and Samak. From the scrum, Gibbs fed Marsh, who delayed his pass to find Baker cutting a powerful line to drive through close to the posts. He converted his own try. 38-10.
Spartans took advantage of a rare handling error by the Nomads to again use forward power to drive over in the corner. 38-15.
Nomads were playing with confidence and cohesion. Owen led the way with a number of powerful carries and was ably supported by Marshall and Samak in the forward carries. Marsh was the beneficiary of forward momentumand front foot ball allowed him to exploit a gap in the defence. His chip through ricocheted of a number of players before being secured by a Spartans player. Good follow up work from Nash and Wilkes kept the pressure on but unfortunately Nomads were penalised at the breakdown. Looking to go quickly, Spartans took a quick tap from close to their own line but a forward pass was spotted by the referee. The official converted the scrum into a penalty for dissent and an alert Gibbs tapped quickly, feeding Baker, who offloaded to Marsh to scoot in for his hat-trick. 43-15.
Spartans kept on battering away until the end, their big ball carriers pressurized the Nomads defence but tremendous commitment right to the end kept the line intact. An immense tackle from Owen and a counter ruck from Cox, showed the determination Nomads were playing with for the full 80 minutes.
Full Time ​Stroud Nomads 43​Spartans 2nd XV 15

This was perhaps Nomads most positive performance of the season with focus, skill level and commitment all showing what the side is capable of. Although this was indeed a true squad effort in which all players played their part, special mention must go to the four Colts players, whose confidence and drive really led the team to this victory.
Next Fixture: Saturday 23 March v Matson (Away) KO 1430