Stroud..............................24

Chew Valley...................... 7

By Sean Moore

STROUD returned to form and produced a magnificent result against a talented Chew Valley side.

The basis of Stroud’s victory was a dominant pack with the front-row showing up well in the loose with Matt Hunt catching the eye.

Phil Fruin, back after injury, displayed a rare turn of pace,almost scoring after one powerful 30-metre run.

Stroud particularly impressed with their catch and drive routine, on one occasion going nearly half the length of the field.

In this phase the experience of Josh Stratton and James Bashford was invaluable and Chew had no answer to this tactic.

The back row is developing into a formidable unit and Mike Alley again led the way and was named man-of-the match. He was ably assisted by two young talented wing forwards in Regan Herbert and Rich Brown.

Together they stifled many a Chew attack with solid tackling and also made valuable yards going forward.

Behind the scrum young Joe Ashenford looked very much at home providing quick ball and spikey runs, which kept the Chew on their toes. His sound place-kicking was also invaluable.

Stroud did not get off to a good start and Chew took advantage of some fragile tackling to go into an early lead, 0-7. Stroud equalised when good pressure led to a lineout in the corner with Bashford taking the ball leading to a trademark catch-and-drive try claimed by Matt Hunt. Ashenford converted a difficult kick out of the quagmire, 7-7.

Shortly afterwards, fluent passing by the backs saw Sam Leeworthy take the ball on the burst and make a long break using his hand-off to maximum effect. There followed several phases before Mike Alley forced his way over the line, 12-7.

Dan Gordon was having a fine game gaining swathes of territory with long raking kicks.

His distribution was clever and varied, mixing outrageous long passes with stunning offloads to supporting players.

Centres Harry Foote and Lex Brookes were very solid in all aspects although Foote had to be replaced after a knock to the head. Pete Sykes came on as sub and proved dependable in attack and defence.

After the break Stroud executed a long catch and drive which was illegally brought down just before the line. A Chew player was yellow carded as a result.

Following a five-metre scrum Stroud produced a rarity at Fromehall Park - a pushover try - by Mike Alley but all the pack can take the credit. Ashenford again split the posts with a difficult conversion, 19-7.

Stroud were now seeking a bonus point fourth try and it came following a scrum on the Chew 10-metre line. Jordan Phipps came into the line at pace and he made the extra man, astutely releasing Sykes into space.

Sykes cleverly feinted inside the full-back before swerving out and beating the cover to score a brilliant try in the corner, 24-7.