Positives are taken (From Stroud News and Journal)

Positives are taken

South West 2 West Berry Hill RFC 15 Stroud RFC 3

BERRY HILL admitted that they had endured their hardest game of the season so far, but yet again it was another Stroud defeat.

Stroud are producing comfortably their best rugby at the moment and not getting the rub of the green and the writing is on the wall for somebody given this powerful display at Lakers Road.

So what conspired against them this time. Well, an Andy Reid penalty for Berry Hill was fair enough, but Stroud were then punished when a Berry Hill attack down the right flank saw a speculative chip into the try area. Mike Coleman had it covered, or so he thought as he went to gather the ball, but it bounced directly back over his head into the grateful path of Andy Stephens who had no trouble diving on it.

Hill's second try came from a poorly taken-throw in that was way off beam. Nevertheless, Berry Hill rode their luck and attacked for Andy Reid to slide through Stroud's defence to the line, he also added the extras.

With a deficit of 15-3 at the break it didn't look good. Stroud did have their moments, notably Ed Crampton and Lyle Robertson breaking through. Apart from a worrying first ten minutes of the second period when Hill camped on Stroud's line for what seemed an eternity, it was all Stroud.

Matt Hart took two scrums against the head, Robertson caused all manner of mayhem wide on the wing with numerous weaving attacks often requiring a multitude to bring him down, Tom Burcher led the way in the loose, James Bashford ruled at the lineout when the ball was delivered straight and Adam Tarplee simply oozed class all over the park.

Despite the best efforts of Steve Thompson and Coleman to break through there always seemed to be a Hillman in the way though. The introduction of Rob Davey and Steve Bewick brought renewed resolution to the pack and Berry Hill were lucky when Stroud decided with fifteen minutes left to run a penalty that came to nought rather than opt for an easy three points.

But you have to give credit for Hills' sheer determination and willingness to scrap for each other. Many a team would have collapsed in the face of some fine attacking Stroud play.

But this match was eventually won on defence with the Lakers Road outfit blowing hard and carrying leaden legs at the final whistle.

No amount of praise will earn Stroud league points but if they can maintain and even improve on performances such as this then a rise up the table is inevitable.

* Hornets visit this Saturday in a crucial game for Stroud.