Clifton undermined as Stroud charge into semi-finals (From Stroud News and Journal)

Clifton undermined as Stroud charge into semi-finals

Stroud RFC 28 Clifton 17 STROUD strode into the semi-finals of the Gloucestershire Roadchef County Cup with a convincing victory over South West One outfit, Clifton on Saturday, their forwards providing the perfect base for the backs to settle the outcome by four tries to one.

The visitors began strongly, taking an early six-point lead from the boot of John Barnes who then hit the post with a third penalty attempt.

Stroud had made only a couple of excursions into Clifton territory before gaining their first kickable penalty near the 22 on the half-hour, but John Farr instantly had the vision to tap and run, and with the cover in disarray he side-stepped two tackles to score under the posts, Julian Harry converting.

A stunned Clifton countered well but Stroud were starting to ask questions, with Stewart Cale working hard in the loose to set up rucks for the backs to spin the ball around to good effect.

Time and again Stroud probed the flanks exploiting Clifton's weaknesses and both Jerry Perrins and Andy Cambridge created gaps, but Clifton's defence was split when Adrian Hand broke on the blind side and with Perrins supporting on his outside, he dummied and sped for the line to score a superb try, Harry adding a splendid conversion.

Clifton again applied strong pressure but a good phase of forward play in front of Stroud's posts suddenly saw Rob Davey steal the ball and his charge upfield boosted Stroud who discovered that they could disrupt Clifton's weak scrummaging at will and soon forced their way back into visiting territory.

Maltese international Nick Warren was justifying his selection on the wing and had already given Hand an earlier opportunity to score after chipping through, but Ollie Sacco covered well. Late in the half a neat switch move was dummied by Steve Thompson and it sucked in Clifton's defence.

The ball was fed to Warren who took a difficult pass to score wide out, Harry converting to put Stroud 21-6 up at the break. Clifton started the second half well, but Stroud locks Rob Davey and James Bashford disrupted their lineout ball and John Allen was fierce in the tackle.

Stroud's pack began to dominate, pushing Clifton back at the scrums. and it seemed only a question of time before Stroud would to score again.

However, another penalty against Stroud gave Barnes a simple three points and when Clifton found their way over for a try by Adam Brickell, which Barnes converted, it reduced Stroud's lead to a meagre four points and opened the tie up nicely.

But Stroud were not to be denied and as Clifton tired, the effects of Adam Tarplee's efforts at flanker and the front row power of Rob Bashford, Andy Stanton and Andy Jarrett began to tell as Clifton struggled to compete.

The scene was now set for an exciting climax and it came when a forward drive gave Farr time to expose Clifton's flimsy defence with a simple move that saw Cambridge burst through to dive over the line, Harry converting to seal a perfect day with the boot.

Stroud visit Matson in a South West 2 West game on Saturday (2.30pm) while the Nomads, who lost 69-6 at Lydney, on Saturday host Old Cryptians in a friendly at Fromehall Park.