Stroud .................................23

Old Bristolians...................31

STROUD will look back ruefully on a game they could have won, writes Sean Moore.

They went into the break 26 points up and Stroud’s confidence was low but whatever Sam Viggers and Rupert Foote said at half time worked.

After the break Stroud were a different team. At no.10, Dan Gordon pulled the strings.

Bob scored the first try, taking the ball at pace and bursting through the opposition defence to score, 26-5.

The comeback continued when Gordon put Sam Hester free. He drew the full-back and passed perfectly to Kurtis Herbert who again showed outstanding pace to run fifty metres and score by the posts. He converted and added a penalty goal shortly after, 15 -26.

Stroud’s pack was gaining dominance and they battered the Bristolians’ line but had to be content with another penalty goal by Herbert, 18-26.

Following excellent interpassing between Gordon and Herbert Stroud attacked near the corner and the ball was flipped inside to skipper Foote who went over for an unconverted try, 23-26.

An unlikely victory now seemed possible and Viggers kept up the momentum with his strong run down the middle.

Joe Ashenford on the wing made his presence felt by bravely clattering into hefty opposition forwards. With less than five minutes left Stroud won a scrum near the corner and a ‘tornado’ move was thwarted by a knock-on when a score looked very likely.

Bristolians regrouped and scored a last minute try to seal the victory, 23-31.