Stroud.................26

Bristol Quins.......24

By Russ Hillier

STROUD edged a thrilling contest.

Following last week’s impressive victory over Bristol opposition Barts, Stroud started Saturday’s game against Bristol Harlequins, with some fine opening rugby that saw them register 16 points on the scoreboard before Harlequins opened their account.

A penalty from Stroud’s Sam Hester was soon followed by the try of the game, when from a lineout steal by James Bashford, the ball quickly moved along the three-quarter line and excellent interplay between Fin Sharpe and Dan Gordon resulting in the latter scoring near the posts for a try converted by Hester.

Two further penalties saw Stroud well in command but things then changed dramatically with quick converted tries moving Harlequins within two points at half-time.

Spurred on by their first half comeback and Stroud down to 14 players following a yellow card before the break, Bristol Harlequins began to show plenty of aggression and took the lead with a further penalty.

Stroud were being penalised far too often and fell further behind to another converted try with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Indiscipline within the Harlequins pack saw one of their player’s red-carded and allowed Stroud to make a comeback via tries from Sharpe and veteran Ollie Smith to give Stroud the lead 26-24 with 10 minutes to go.

Being behind again seemed to encourage the Quins and with Stroud defending desperately the game finished with a Harlequins penalty hitting the upright, giving Stroud the opportunity to kick the ball finally into touch to huge relief and also victory.