South West Division
Western Counties North
Avon 15
Stroud 31

STROUD again showed their capacity for exciting, open rugby with a 31-15 win over Avon in the Western Counties North, writes Sean Moore.

Stroud were expected to see past a winless Avon on the weekend and they didn’t disappoint.

The visitors started with a bang, winning phase after phase.

Following a trademark break by Dan Gordon, Kurtis Herbert was up in support to take the final pass and score in the corner, 0-5.

The second try was one of the best of the season.

Stroud won the ball from a scrum under their own posts.

Gordon feinted to kick but saw a gap and went through it inter-passing with Herbert to get to the halfway line.

With cover closing in, the ball was slipped inside to the supporting Jo Ashenford who sped to the posts from forty metres out.

Herbert converted, 0-12.

The Stroud pack were playing well against beefy opposition.

The front row were proving very solid with James Bashford and Rob Higgins ruling the lineout, aided by accurate throwing in from Matt Hunt.

It was following a lineout that Stroud scored next.

The ball went out to Gordon who feigned one of his long passes but instead gave a short pop pass to Sam Hester on the burst who went over under the posts, 0-19.

On the wing Jake Marsh showed his positional versatility and did well competing for the high balls and delivering some hefty tackles. Avon then reduced the deficit with a try, 5-19.

Just before the break Stroud scored again when, after multiple phases and well-timed passing, Harry Phillips received the ball on the wing.

He sped past three defenders to score in the corner and Herbert converted with a sumptuous kick, 5-26. Following the break, Avon fought back and the tackling by Tom Flanagan was again evident.

Sam Hester scored in the corner after good interplay by the inside backs, 5-31.

Avon then pressured in some style and gained two consolation tries to leave a final score of 15-31.

The centre pairing of Foote and Herbert is proving to be very effective in both attack and defence and they, together with the mercurial Gordon bristle with intent whenever they get the ball.

It’s now back-to-back wins for Stroud in the Western Counties North, and the side currently sit 10th in the table with 21 points from 11 games.