Crampton gives Stroud hope (From Stroud News and Journal)

Crampton gives Stroud hope

Stroud 14 Exmouth 13

ED CRAMPTON'S late try helped Stroud to a vital victory in their fight against relegation.

This win gives the Fromehall Park side hope that they can now avoid the drop.

However, it was Exmouth, who were first to score from a long range penalty. Nonetheless, Stroud continued to press and drew parity through a drop goal by Julian Harry, but a fine break by the Exmouth scrum half saw them score an unconverted try wide out.

Stroud were rewarded with a further penalty by Harry to bring the half time score to 6-8 in Exmouth' favour.

With the breeze behind them Stroud started the second half on the attack but were denied further tries by Ed Crampton, the referee judging the final pass to be forward on both occasions.

Nonetheless, the Fromehall Park side took the lead with a penalty from Harry.

However, it was Exmouth who broke out to score an unconverted try and reverse the lead once again.

Stroud continued to produce near scores but with time running out it seemed the curse of this season was about to strike again.

One final scrum in the visitors 22 was won, however, and with quick hands in the three quarter line Adey Hands fed Crampton for the latter to dive over to restore the lead.

The conversion was missed, but the final whistle ended a memorable tussle with a well earned victory for Stroud.

Stroud: A.Hand, L. Robertson, E. Crampton, J. Harry, J. Wand, S. Thompson (c), M. Coleman, T. Burcher, M.Hart, M.Wildy, R.Davey, J. Bashford, R.Matts, A.Tarplee, S.Ireland. Reps: R.Wakefield, R.Williams, S. Bewick.

Stroud 1st XV entertain Berry Hill in the last home league fixture this Saturday, 9th April - KO 3.00 pm.