Chosen Hill................................... 33 Stroud......................................... 29

HAVING won their last four matches coming into the Christmas break Stroud were keen to maintain this form in the first match back at Chosen Hill RFC on Saturday.

This intention was obvious with Stroud playing aggressive rugby throughout the initial 20 minutes, spending most of the time on the front foot, but missing two penalties during this spell.

However, in a rare sortie into Stroud’s half, Chosen Hill took the lead through a converted try.

Stroud struck back with a good try from Dan Gordon which unfortunately was not converted.

Just before half-time and with Stroud on the attack, the ball went loose and was hacked on by the hosts for them to score near the post for a converted try to make the score 14 -5 to Chosen Hill at half-time.

Stroud came out for the second-half playing some fine rugby, but handling lapses allowed Chosen Hill to intercept and score two tries in quick succession, converting one to lead by 26 -5.

And Stroud’s problem mounted when a loose ball was hacked on again for another converted try, making the score 33-5.

With 15 minutes left Stroud suddenly found the form that proved successful pre-Christmas and two super tries from Kurtis Herbert and Peter Sykes with one conversion brought the score to 33-17.

With the Stroud pack dominating the set pieces two fine tries by Joe Ashenford brought the visitors within sight of a win but with the conversions missed the game finished 33-29.