Crampton stars (From Stroud News and Journal)

Crampton stars

South West 2 West Stroud RFC 30 Barnstaple RFC 21

STROUD got back to winning ways at Fromehall Park on Saturday.

With typical Stroud panache Ed Crampton opened the scoring from the kick-off after the visitors failed to collect the ball cleanly.

Stroud settled on their lead and looked for more, especially through the forwards who were supplying Liam Moore with a good supply of possession.

It was against the run of play that Barnstaple caught Stroud defenders napping and Matt Williamson scored, Asa Wright converted.

However,Stroud returned to the attack, advancing downfield both around the pack and also probing away through the centres where Crampton was proving a real menace ultimately being the choice for Peter Little's High Tech Man of the Match.

The next score was down to sheer determination from Adam Tarplee who made the best from an advanced position to break from twenty metres and force himself over, Harry converted.

Wright and Harry exchanged penalties before another cracking attack, this time from Lyle Robertson. He had made his presence known to Barnstaple previously but a wonderfully angled run gave him the space to break through.

Despairing tackles were brushed aside as this solid Kiwi hit the line giving Harry a comfortable conversion.

Barnstaple had a mountain to climb trailing 24-10, but this Devon team played with plenty of heart and made life difficult in the second half for Stroud. Indeed they enjoyed marginally better possession and territory, Asa Wright, Paul Shaddock and lively winger Mark Williamson were all notable for their efforts.

A brace of exchanged penalties was all that could be mustered though until Barnstaple were rewarded with a late try from Dave Ewing that probably gave the final scoreline a reasonable reflection to both teams efforts.

STROUD travel to Barnstaple Hornets on Saturday.