Colts
Matches
Sun 17 Mar 2019
Cirencester
11:00
Stroud Rugby
Colts
Stroud lose to local rivals Cirencester

Stroud lose to local rivals Cirencester

russell vale17 Mar 2019 - 18:00
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https://www.stroudrugby.co.uk/

Stroud U15s lose in difficult conditions

Lets cut to the chase. This writeup is going to be hard. After the fantastic day that was Old Brentwoods tour visit yesterday and expansive entertaining rugby that was excellently refereed by a Society ref, a Sunday morning blowathon against Cirencester was going to potentially be anti-climatic.

The players turned up in dribs and drabs nursing their bumps and bruises, forgetting various bits of attire, and generally not as switched on as they could be.

Forwards: Lucas, Orgy, Callum, Jedd, Laurie, Euan, Perys, Mr T
Backs: Flash, Will, Dave, Arthur, Billy, Fin, Alex
Subs: Stoner, Liam, Darion, Bernie, Hilly, James, Big Mac

Stroud kicked off and Ciren returned it well and were awarded a penalty that they kicked to touch and won the subsequent lineout. Good tackles from Lucas and Dave forced a knockon and Stroud attacked through Fin. Eventually Ciren forced a turnover and attacked back but rip master Arthur was ready to force his own turnover. The next Stroud attack was Billy and Perys combining well until forced into touch. Ciren lost their lineout as Orgy managed to steal the loose ball. Stroud attacked through the backs but Ciren did well to force another turnover and with no defenders at home they ran down the left wing and scored the first try. Good kick and it was 7-0 to the home team.

Ciren were up for the game. Stroud kicked too wide and it was back for a half way scrum that Ciren won. Good tackling from Lucas, Perys and Mr T slowed the Ciren advance as they got closer to the Stroud line. Good defence earned Stroud a penalty and they quickly tapped to attack but got called back as the ref wasn’t ready. When play was allowed to continue Stroud tapped again and Will haired up the left flank, saw his partner in crime Dave and set him loose on a long run to the Ciren try area and the equalising try. A great kick from Will levelled the scores at 7-7

Ciren kicked off and Orgy ran it back well. Quick hands to the left unleashed Arthur and Billy who combined well to give Billy a long run to the try line and finish under the posts. Good conversion and it was 14-7 to Stroud. Normality returning as the lactic acid was replaced with adrenaline.

Ciren kicked short and Stroud had a halfway line scrum. Will ran right and drew the defence. Alex took on the attack onto the Ciren 22. Good rucking got clean ball to Flash and he set off the backs to the left and another great Arthur/Billy passing combo gave Billy another try in the far left corner. Somehow captain Will aced the conversion into the wind from wide and Stroud were up 21-7.

Then the penalty count started to affect the game…..

Flash did great on kick return duty. Callum took over scrum half duty and set the backs away. Harem scarem rugby took over as the teams traded tackles and turnovers with increasingly vocal players trying to assist the ref in the running of the game. Ciren were awarded a sequence of penalties and eventually scored in the left corner. No kick for 21-12 Stroud lead.

The next phase of play was very similar. Errors by both sides as the wind increased in strength. Stout defence from Mr T, Perys, Euan and Liam slowed down the big runners. Flash and Arthur also put in big tackles. Ciren earned another penalty and quickly tapped and scored up the middle to make it 21-19.

Another wide kickoff gave Ciren a halfway scrum that Stroud dominated with big pushes.. Again another sequence of penalties marched Ciren up the field and they eventually scored in the right corner. The kick was missed but they had taken the lead at 24-21

More penalties against Stroud finished the half with a damp squib.

Half Time: Cirencester 24 – 21 Stroud

The second half didn’t go any better…..

Kick-off, Penalty, knock-on, penalty, turnover, penalty, penalty, good play, penalty, knock-on. Stroud try.

Better explain that – Will kicks high. Big Mac catches it and scores. Great conversion kick. 28-24 to Stroud.

Now back to more of the same……

Kick-off, Penalty, knock-on, penalty, turnover, penalty, penalty, good play, penalty, knock-on. Ciren try from scrum. Great kick into the wind. 31-28 to Ciren. Stroud down to 14 players.

Now back to more of the same……

Kick-off, Penalty, knock-on, penalty, turnover, penalty, penalty, good play, penalty, knock-on. Stroud scrum, chance to attack. Full time whistle as the clock hit 30 and Stroud were mid-play - rugby laws trumped by football rules. Discussion over the score as the ref had it at 29-28 and I had it as 31-28. I was right as my notepad is always right – it’s just the story of how we get to the final result is open to interpretation most weeks!

2nd half highlights:

  • Dave not getting his nose broken
  • James great tackle on their big runner - swing low sweet chariot....
  • Alex’s jump step and deep kick from 22 to 22
  • Various brave bodies like Bernie and Perys diving on loose balls
  • Player discipline as the game got fractious
  • We won the penalty count 76 to 0.

Full Time: Cirencester 31 – 28 Stroud

Tunnels and handshakes. Post mortem. Shower. Food. And then we all went home to reminisce about the Old Brentwoods game as the highlight of the weekend.

Sorry if your name wasn't mentioned. You all did something great.

The End.

Match details

Match date

Sun 17 Mar 2019

Kickoff

11:00
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Main Club Sponsor - Stroud Brewery
Club Sponsor - Nortim Engineering Ltd
Sponsor - Cotswold Appliances (Oxford) Ltd
Club sponsors  - Howard Tenens Logistics Ltd
Club Sponsor - EPS