Stroud undone at the death in pulsating clash (From Stroud News and Journal)

Stroud undone at the death in pulsating clash

South West 2 West Coney Hill RFC 27 Stroud RFC 11

DEFEAT? Yes. But forget the scoreline as Stroud were beaten in a pulsating match at Metz Way.

Stroud can feel frustrated as the Fromehall Park side led with a few minutes left only to see their hard work undone at the death.

Earlier, Coney Hill opened the scoring when Nevaro Codlin was released to score in the corner. However, Stroud worked their way down field and earned a penalty that Julian Harry converted.

Nonetheless, a sucker punch again saw Codlin released in a counter move and, avoiding defenders, crossed the line. Although Stroud responded with another Harry penalty, the player had suffered an ankle injury during Codlin's previous score and was replaced by Mike Thornley.

For all of Stroud's efforts though they trailed 10 - 6 at the break. The second half though would prove to be a different story.

Stroud were unlucky to lose Rupert Wakefield early in the second half. But Stroud's pressure told and an encampment formed on Hill's line.

However, Stroud were penalised at the third reset when Tom Burcher was caught for standing up at the scrum. The penalty was returned in kind as back came Stroud to the Hill line. This time John Allen peeled off the back of the scrum and forced his way over only to see the referee from distance decide the ball was held up.

The next scrum saw Stroud fling the ball wideand Adrian Hand galloped over to score.

With minutes left and a point to the good, Stroud simply needed to hold on, but a penalty allowed Martin Knight to slot three points. Hill attacked down the flank but switched inside for Leon Liggett to score under the posts, Knight converted.

At the death Ballinger struck and Knight converting with the last kick.