Thornley cuts down Whitehall (From Stroud News and Journal)

Thornley cuts down Whitehall

Western Counties North Whitehall 12 Stroud 27

THIS was a solid, workmanlike performance from Stroud that will keep them amongst the pack towards the upper tier of the League table and also act as a boost for their trip to Tring this Saturday when they will look to a last 16 place in The Powergen Intermediate Cup.

In bitter conditions Stroud soaked up early pressure before Julian Harry slotted a penalty. The lead was extended when Stroud started to run Whitehall around the park, Steve Ireland showing his rich vein of form is continuing.

Whitehall had done well to keep Stroud out, in fact the visitors had already spurned a couple of opportunities until Josh Lister threw a couple of dummies and found a gap through Whitehall's defence to score, Harry converted well.

Whitehall settle

Whitehall eventually found a gear and from good recycled attacks from their forwards the ball was fed to their lock, Richard Haycock, who used his size to go over, Dane Weaver made amends with his conversion after a howler of a penalty earlier in the game.

Some controversy then followed when Stroud responded to the cheek of Whitehall scoring. John Farr had been doing well to expose Whitehall's left flank with some astute box kicks that allowed James Sharples to bear down on defenders.

However, Farr attacked with ball in hand and put a grubber kick through the last line of defence. The ball was hacked on a second time and seemed to drift away from him before he slid for the ball. The referee found in Stroud's favour confident that sufficient downward pressure had been made.

Harry added to Whitehall's consternation with a couple of extra points. Whitehall replied with gusto and put Stroud onto the back foot. Their attack collapsed and Sharples decided to make one of his deep meandering runs.

Thornley score

Switching to the left-wing he had good support alongside him, Lyle Robertson fed Mike Thornley who took the pass well inside his own half and with sixty metres to go forced the best from his blurred legs to carry him home.

Stroud were comfortable at 22-7 ahead but the game became a war of attrition as Whitehall looked to get something from this battle. Their hooker had made a nuisance of himself most of the game and he was part of a maul that put Whitehall within range of Stroud after a driving maul, but it was to be their last score.

As it was Stroud had the last word with a second Thornley try wide out that secured the points.