Hand strikes twice to flatten Old Boys (From Stroud News and Journal)

Hand strikes twice to flatten Old Boys

Stroud 25 Gloucester Old Boys 12 TWO superbly-executed second half touchdowns by ace full-back Adrian Hand sealed victory and two priceless league points for Stroud in a vigorously-contested local derby at Fromehall Park on Saturday.

Gloucester Old Boys, with the former Gloucester hooker Kevin Dunn and ex-Cheltenham prop Nigel Smart in their pack, were no pushovers, as expected of a side that had recently beaten St Mary's and drawn with Exmouth.

When Dunn forced his way over for their second try to cut the deficit to 15-12 with 30 minutes left an upset was on the cards as Stroud looked as if they might squander their early 15-0 lead.

But in the final outcome class told, especially in the backs, where Stroud were clearly superior and those two vital Hand touchdowns reopened an unassailable lead which keeps Stroud in touch with an exciting promotion race.

In the first 25 minutes, Stroud belied a slow-starting reputation with some solid forward play at the set piece and in the loose romping into a 15-point lead.

Old Boys fly-half Andy Broady missed a fifth-minute penalty and three minutes later centre Julian Harry kicked Stroud in front with a precise 40-metre penalty.

Visiting flanker Gary Hannaford was yellow carded for preventing release in the 11th minute and while he was sin-binned Stroud scored the first of their four tries.

Skipper John Farr rejected the opportunity of a penalty in front of the posts to take a quick tap and although he was held the ball was freed for Brian Pearse to send flanker Adam Tarplee over near the posts, Harry converting.

Then with 22 minutes gone, Stroud won quick ruck ball near the halfway line and moved left for Hand and then Maltese winger Nick Warren to hit the ball at pace. Warren was brought down but when the ball was recycled Pearce raced 50 metres for a fine unconverted try.

With half an hour gone Old Boys had hardly had a look-in. But then a powerful burst by lock Andy Geary took them to Stroud's line and although a knock-on ruined that chance of scoring, they took control of the middle section of the match with some concerted driving forward play and ball retention.

Stroud stayed on the back foot for the rest of the half and were forced to concede a penalty try in the 37th minute after a series of infringements near their line.

Broady converted to cut the deficit to 15-7, and with Thompson twice forced to go off with a badly cut cheek before the interval, Stroud's hopes of an easy win were evaporating.

Their sudden insecurity was increased ten minutes into the second half when Hand knocked on to concede territory and the Old Boys again drove to the line in a series of controlled surges which ended with Dunn being driven over for their second try, Broady's conversion attempt sailed narrowly off target, but Stroud realised they were facing a testing last half-hour and they fortunately responded by upping their game a gear.

Rob Shipton was sent on in place of number eight John Allen and within five minutes Stroud had stretched their advantage again.

Warren was tackled from a Farr tapped penalty and when the ball was twice recycled Farr broke from the ruck to float out a long pass to Hand and the full-back did the rest bursting into the line to break a tackle and round the defence on the outside.

Harry missed the conversion, but Stroud were back in the groove and they dictated play for the rest of the game, which became overheated as Old Boys strove to regain the initiative.

Stuart Cale was sin-binned for killing the ball at a 68th-minute ruck, but Stroud stormed back to settle the issue. Thompson breaking through the narrowest of gaps to send out a perfect pass for Hand to outpace the cover for his second unconverted try.

Opposing props Rob Bashford and Old Boys' Andy Pettigrew were yellow carded for a bout of fisticuffs and right on the whistle referee Mike Carr waved the red card at visiting lock Ninny Cuthbert after Thompson was kicked on the ground.

However, Stroud were well worth the points in a contest that should put them in good heart for their Gloucester Roadchef County Cup semi-final clash at Coney Hill next Saturday (2pm).

* Stroud made a fine start to the Under 15 County cup campaign with a 17-7 win over Dursley. Winger Ali Haines scored their first try and Dan Maisey added a second, Josh Lister kicking the conversion. James Oatley scored a third before Dursley scored a converted try towards the end.

* Stroud won 32-0 in a County Under 13 Cup first round tie at Thornbury. Jack Purchase (2), Chris Ashmead, Andrew Lee Richard Goddard and Chris Kane scored the Stroud tries, Purchase adding a conversion.