Stroud enjoy solid victory at a canter (From Stroud News and Journal)

Stroud enjoy solid victory at a canter

Stroud RFC

Western Counties North

Stroud RFC 31 Avonmouth Old Boys 6

Stroud won this game at a canter making their visitors strong candidates for lower league opponents next season.

A heavy pitch wasn't likely to help open rugby and a forward battle was on the cards, however the unusual presence of Rob Davey in the three quarter line on two early occasions suggested otherwise. Davey did well on each attack but finally gave the more fleet footed Julian Harry the killer pass that sent him on a lovely line to the posts who also added the extras.

This typically quick Stroud score was followed by a series of knock on's and penalties where Old Boys could at least have sight of the ball for a few minutes and Stroud then battling to get it back. However play was very disjointed with eternal visits from Avonmouth's physio to attend crocked players. Mike Manuel did find time to slot a brace of penalties for Avonmouth and it looked awkward at half time with Stroud only a point ahead at 7-6.

The half time team talk worked wonders as Stroud came out blazing and at last made their forward superiority tell. Andy Jarrett had made life unpleasant in the scrums and was less liked when a good attack from a catch and drive put him under a heap over the line.

John Farr also got in on the act. He had probed away all afternoon with tapped penalties and box kicks and was rewarded with a try shortly after Jarrett's effort, Harry converted.

Avonmouth had very little to offer in response but tried their best to hold Stroud back. Credit to Manuel at Stand Off, he was the sole serious aggressor putting in some fine defensive clearances and on occasions pushing forwards deep into Stroud territory. All too often though his work was undone as both Davey and James Bashford dominated the lineouts.

The introduction of Darren Eagle added some spice to proceedings. He made a superb run from the half way line before off-loading to Rupert Wakefield who had plenty of work to do before crossing the line, Harry added two more points.

Old Boys players were still needing treatment throughout the half, none more so than one unfortunate who was handed off by Luke Dando late on and was away with the fairies. Still, there was time for the best try of the day. It came when Harry hit a deft pass behind a ruck at speed from fifty metres out and he raced to the posts. He tweaked a Hamstring in the process and left the conversion to Guy Hopson who somehow contrived to kick the ball under the bar but Avonmouth were a beaten team by then.