MATCH REPORT BY MARK SAMAK

Nomads made the short trip over to Gloucester to face an experienced Old Boys side. With a lack of regular props, Lee Marshall and Tom Stone stepped up to the plate to ensure the game could go ahead with contested scrums. Apart from this, the Nomads squad was again strong in numbers, which again shows the enthusiasm that is present within the squad. Recent rain had subsided however a heavy pitch was likely to favour the much larger Old Boys pack meaning the Nomads were in for their greatest test of the season so far.

1 Lee Marshall 2 Owen Winstone 3 Tom Stone 4 Daniel Whittaker (Vern) 5 Mark Samak 6 Keelan Jackson 7 Mark Phillips 8 Steve Arerington 9 Lewis Holder 10 Iain Bushell 11 Will Mapletoft 12 Tiaan Litton 13 Jacob Clutterbuck 14 Kieran Mitchell 15 Fin Hill
Replacements: Elliott Gardner, James Ferry, Luke Dowemoore.

Nomads kicked off and were soon applying pressure with good line speed to negate the larger Old Boys forwards. Vern, Samak and Phillips were greatly involved in the initial defensive efforts as Old Boys looked for first up carries. Often the pressure resulted in a knock on and gave Nomads a number of scrummages in opposition territory. Marshall, Winstone and Stone performed manfully however the scrummage was always under pressure due to the almost unmeasurable size difference between the front rows. Arerington and Holder performed miracles to get the ball away and give the backs the opportunity to show their skills. Bushall was always keen to release Litton and Clutterbuck, who both looked dangerous individually and always looked to combine with Mapletoft and Mitchell on the wing. Mitchell in particular made great ground from one run after an interchange with Litton and Hill and was unlucky to be forced into touch before offloading.

The forwards were getting through their share of work with Samak, Phillips and Areington carrying well whilst Jackson on debut was also keen to get his hands on the ball. The first score came from secure lineout ball from Vern that Holder and Bushall spread wider. Litton fed Clutterbuck, whose powerful surge made ground up the right. Switching play, Holder found Samak, who carried strongly into the 22 before speed of thought from Litton called for an instant switch back to the right. A beautifully weighted kick ahead held up in the dead ball area and Litton’s acceleration was enough to take him beyond the covering defence to touch down. Holder converted. 0-7.

Despite the pressure in the scrummage Stroud continued to dominate possession. Although the lineout didn’t always function, Samak and Jackson were able to snaffle possession towards the tail. Arerington was solid at the back of the scrum and often gained forward momentum from a retreating scrum. Another strong carry from Samak generated momentum before the ball was spread wider. This time the final pass went to ground but Nomad ambition was clear.

Gardner replaced Samak and was soon in the action with a trademark powerful carry, taking three tacklers to haul him down. Clutterbuck was equally as destructive, one diagonal surge brushed off numerous tacklers before he was hauled down 5m short. This gave the platform for the next score as Nomads showed patience with pick and goes from Phillips and Vern edging toward the line. Holder spread the play to Bushall, whose show and go looked to have found the crucial gap, however he was dragged down metres short. Returning to the pick and go, Marshall and Winstone carried before Holder dived through a gap, close to the ruck, to score. 0-12.

Half Time Gloucester Old Boys 2nd XV 0 Stroud Nomads 12

Ferry and Dowemoore replaced Jackson and Bushall. Old Boys were soon on the front foot with Nomads unable to secure the restart. Their scrum was dominant however Marshall and Stone were working hard to stem the surges. Old Boys Number 8, regularly picked from the base but found Phillips in typical combative mood to null his advances. Old Boys momentum however did force Nomads into a number of lapses in discipline, especially around the breakdown. Penalties forced Nomads back within 10m of their line however excellent defence from Stone, Gardner, Phillips and Arerington stifled the attack and allowed the line to be clear. Litton was intelligent in his use of the boot and regularly relieved the pressure. One kick was well-chased down by Mapletoft and Nomads looked to have secured a turnover however this was reversed and Clutterbuck was unfortunately yellow-carded at the breakdown.

Despite the extra man in the backs, Old Boys were unable to make any ground out wide with Litton, Dowemoore and Mitchell stifling any wider attacks with great line speed and physicality.

Refereeing decisions were now certainly going Old Boys way – penalties were being conceded allowing easy ground to be gained. One lineout drive was repelled but Old Boys set up a maul midfield, which despite the ball appearing to be lost forward was allowed to continue and the size of the Old Boys pack was too much for the Nomads and they drove over. Try converted. 7-12.

Samak returned in place of Ferry and again with Phillips and Gardner was at the heart of the defensive rear-guard action. Despite his exertions in the scrum Stone was getting through his share of tackling as Old Boys looked to continue their momentum. Indiscipline again looked to have cost Nomads, with Old Boys winning another penalty, which was made worse with back-chat taking another 10m off the Nomads. Fortunately, the kick to touch went dead and allowed Nomads the opportunity for Nomads to clear. Areington again performed wonders at the base, allowing Litton time to clear. Although Old Boys were back in possession, Nomads were now well outside their 22 and an excellent defensive press from Dowemoore and Clutterbuck forced a handling error that was capitalised on by Litton. A hack through and another burst of acceleration saw him race beyond the retreating defence before a kindly bounce of the ball allowed him to regather and race in under the posts from 40m. Holder converted. 7-19.

With five minutes to go, Old Boys continued to press and again benefitted from penalties conceded by Nomads. Another lineout catch and drive was nullified by great work from Vern however a break from the scrumhalf and an excellent running line from their Number 8 enabled a score in the corner that was superbly converted from the touchline. 14-19.
A deep restart from Dowemoore was fumbled, giving Nomads the scrum and allowing Arerington and Holder to secure possession and kick to touch to end a hard-fought game.

Full Time Gloucester Old Boys 2nd XV 14 Stroud Nomads 19

This was a tough, physical game played in great spirit from both sides. Definitely a game of two halves, with Old Boys having the ascendancy in the set piece but Nomads as ever looking dangerous in the loose and in the wider channels. The enthusiasm of youth combined with experience seems to be pushing the Nomads forward with structure and organisation giving them a base to showcase their individual talents.

A massive mention to Marshall, Winstone and Stone for their work in the front row and engaging in contested scrummaging for 80 minutes against a sizeable Old Boys pack.

Man of the Match : Tom Stone.