GLOUCESTER PREMIER

STROUD 43

ST MARY’S OLD BOYS 12

LEADERS Stroud posted their biggest win of the season, writes Tiffany Carlile.

Harry Foote’s side are serious contenders for promotion and got off to a flying third minute start when star man Rob Higgins opened the scoring and saw his try converted by Peter Sykes.

The attacking endeavours of the visitors were evident from the restart, dominating possession and offloading in contact.

Indeed it looked like this would be a closer game than the final score line would suggest.

Stroud regained the upper hand, through an unconverted Sykes try.

A classic Dan Gordon kick, setting the foundation for the score. Gordon was on song and despite the blustery November wind, looked wherever possible to get Stroud’s speedy backline into the game.

Just before the break, Stroud took control of the game.

Turning over possession, following a concerted period of pressure from the visitors, Foote ran in his first try of the game, Sykes adding the conversion to give Stroud a 19 - 0 lead at half-time.

The second half started just as quickly as the first with a try from Foote within three minutes of the restart, Sykes adding the conversion.

With St Mary’s on the back-foot, Stroud scored the try of the season so far with the on-form Skyes running from his 10 yard line, hogging the touchline and outstripping the cover defence to score in the corner.

Within five minutes, Sam Hester crossed the try line and added the conversion giving Stroud a 38 point lead.

With the win and bonus points in the bag, Stroud took their foot off the accelerator and allowed St Mary’s to get on the scoresheet on 70 minutes with two trys in quick succession.

Stroud soaked up several more waves of attack and were able to add one further score with a well worked try putting Sam Leworthy over to give the Fromehall Park side a resounding victory.

STROUD welcome Whitehall on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm. They will be looking to avenge a 19 – 10 defeat.