Randall pace stuns Stroud - Rugby (From Stroud News and Journal)

Randall pace stuns Stroud - Rugby

Stroud 3 St Mary's Old Boys 21 This result probably means another year in South West 2 West for Stroud whose promotion hopes now look distinctly forlorn.

St Mary's, a good, well organised team were there for the taking, but Stroud were punished for a couple of missed tackles and anxiety behind the scrum, particularly in the second half.

Julian Harry put Stroud ahead with an early penalty, but it was St. Mary's who used the ball more effectively to push upfield where Nigel Matthews was prominent and it was he that set up the first try of the game.

A simple move along the backs saw Stroud's centres dissected to release speedy winger Chris Randall.

Stroud had already received a warning of his pace when Adrian Hand made a try saving tackle only minutes earlier, but Randall gave him this time around.

Matthews converted and then added a brace of penalties.

Rob Bashford made one notable charge down the middle only to drop the ball, but apart from that effort Stroud offered little, leaving St Mary's with a deserved 13-3 interval lead.

Stroud gave away a silly penalty early in the second half and were undone when Randall was allowed space to run for an unconverted try. Stroud's captain John Farr was rightly angry with his team and they responded by pushing St Mary's way back into their own half.

Replacement Andy Jarrett, making a gradual return to fitness, flattened winger David Rogers with a powerful hand-off, while James Bashford and Rob Davey took good ball in the line-outs in addition to some sterling work around the park.

In fact you could not fault any of Stroud's pack who comfortably dominated the second half.

Stroud continued to hammer away and almost claimed a consolation try when Steve Thompson, making a welcome return after almost two months on the injury list, chipped to the corner but Jerry Perrins failed to take a difficult catch cleanly.

St Mary's were clearly happy to hear the final whistle. For Stroud it was a rotten day at the office although they will still have a strong say on the outcome of the league this season.

Stroud travel to Brixham for what will be a hard encounter this Saturday. The Nomads welcome Weston to Fromehall Park.

* Subject to any appeal, the abandoned fixture between Stroud and Weston Hornets will be replayed at Fromehall Park on a date to be arranged.

Stroud will play Clifton at home in the quarter-finals of Gloucestershire Roadchef County Cup. No date has yet been set for the tie.