REPORT BY MARK SAMAK

Nomads mad the short journey over to Gloucester to take on a mixed Cryptians side on a dry but breezy afternoon. Once again, squad numbers were positive as hopes were high to challenge a side, which the 1st team are due to play in two weeks time.

1 Tommy Allen 2 Lee Marshall 3 Bailey Beale 4 Tom Holmes 5 Keelan Jackson 6 Mark Phillips 7 Freddie Pollard 8 Archie Powis (Capt) 9 Lewis Holder 10 Iain Bushall 11 Harry Cadwallader-Rowles 12 Eddy Davey Jawara 13 Fin Hill 14 Will Mapletoft 15 Marcus Martin
Replacements: Chris Jones, Mark Samak, James Ferry, Lewis Dillon

Nomads kicked off with the benefit of the slope and wind but despite some positive early phase play - with the back row trio of Phillips, Pollard and Powis prominent in the carry – Nomads conceded the first score of the afternoon. A penalty kicked into the 22 resulted in clean ball from the line out and a strong midfield carry. Solid first up tackling from Bushall and Davey Jawara repelled the initial surge however a short range pick and go crossed under the posts. Try converted. 7-0.

Nomads suffered another blow after only 10 minutes when Hill left the field with a suspected dislocated shoulder. A restructure in the backs was necessary with Phillips moving into the centre and Jones packing down on the flank. This seemed to galvanise the Nomads with Beale inititiating proceedings with a powerful surge before Phillips soon had a chance to burst up the middle making significant yardage. Quick ball from Holder allowed Bushall to spread play wider where Martin released Cadwallder-Rowles to show his pace and evasive skills. Now in the Cryptians 22, Holder fed Holmes before Jones carried on the momentum. With the Cryptians defence now on the back foot Pollard spotted a gap and surged through it – dragging two tacklers with him – to cross by the posts. Holder converted. 7-7.

Bushall was using the slope and breeze – kicking intelligently to gain territory. One kick return was collected by Martin, whose offload to Pollard found the flanker and from a standing start he proceed to power through multiple tacklers before showing excellent pace to accelerate away for a superb solo effort from 60m. Holder converted. 7-14.

The set-piece looked solid with Allen, Marshall and Beale also putting pressure on the Cryptians ball. Marshall was finding Pollard and Powis at the lineout so Nomads enjoyed plentiful possession. A typically strong carry from Holmes gave the initial momentum before swift distribution from Holder and Bushall released Phillips. Looking to emulate Pollard, he burst through the first tackle before finding space. Using all his experience, he offloaded to Davey-Jawara, whose well-timed pass allowed Mapletoft a run in from 20m. 7-19.

Although Pollard and Powis were always a threat with ball in hand, Nomads were asute enough not to play too much rugby in their own territory and again Bushall used the boot with great effect. A kick from his own 22 found acres of space and allowed Mapletoft the chance to outpace his opposite number. Showing excellent footballing skills, he kicked on with great control before grounding under the posts. Holder converted. 7-26.

Mapletoft was denied his hatrick after good hands from Bushall and Phillips released him on a wide arc. He was dragged down just short and although apearing to cross was penalised for a double movement.

Half Time Old Cryptians 7 Nomads 26
(Ferry replaced Jones, Dillon replaced Mapletoft)

Nomads knew the second half would be a tougher proposition, with both the slope and breeze against them – and Cryptians making some significant replacements.

A regathered restart and subsequent forward carries close to the ruck took them immediately into the Nomads 22. Good recycling and strong carries allowed one of their forwards to surge over out wide within a minute of the restart. 12-26

Cryptians were soon back in the Nomads 22 through an excellent kick from their replacement fly-half, who would prove hugely influential as the half went on. With Nomads scrum now under pressure, despite valient work from the front row, the second half was proving a real test despite being less than five minutes old. More strong carries and efficient recycling allowed Cryptians to eventually spread the ball wider and cross out wide again despite the best efforts of Martin, who was injured in the tackle and replaced by Mapletoft. 17-26.

Worse was to come with the Cryptians fly-half running in from 60m under the posts almost immediately from the kick-off. Try converted. 24-26.
(Samak replaced Jackson)

With 17 points shipped in less than ten minutes, the final half hour of the game was going to be tough with momentum now clearly with the home side.

Cryptians looked to play the teritory game with a number of punishing kicks driving the Nomads back. Powis was performing valiently at the back of the scrum but ball was never clean and possession was often gained on the back foot. (Jackson replaced Ferry).

The Nomads defence was being severly tested but held firm with Powis, Pollard and Samak getting through an increasing amount of tackling close to the breakdown ably supported by Marshall, whilst Bushall and Phillips were just as stoic in their work when play was spread wider.

Although starved of possession, Nomads frustrated Cryptians with a disciplined performance in defence. With 10 minutes to go, Nomads still led. Combative work from Pollard and Samak forced an error and looked as if it had given some respite to Nomads. Unfortunately, a misplaced pass from the ensuing scrum was collected by Cryptians for a clear run in, under the posts. Try converted. 31-26.

Nomads pushed up into the 22 with a scorching run from Cadwallder-Rowles however were unable to capitalise from the ensuing penalty.

Full Time Old Cryptians 1s/2s 31 Stroud Nomads 26

A hugely spirited performance from the Nomads that could easily have resulted in a victory had a number of other chances been converted in the first half. The last half hour showed the resolve and spirit the Nomads are now showing as they look to move forward with their combination of youth and experience gelling well.

Man of the Match (Sponsored by Mark Powis) – Freddie Pollard.