Stroud.............................................48 Yatton.............................................10

THIS was a great win for Stroud who turned the tables after a heavy defeat at Yatton last October, writes Sean Moore.

Full-on pressure was exerted from the start and a large crowd enjoyed a full range of attacking skills and unstinting effort.

Stroud’s play was extremely disciplined. The scrum was very solid and lineout play very reliable, with Ryan Kibble filling the sizeable boots of the injured James Bashford. Flanker, Tom Flanagan is is building on his relentless tackling with some increasingly lengthy and skilful runs with the ball in hand.

The first try was an outstanding effort from proud new dad Pete Sykes. He received the ball 40-metres out, stood up his marker and beat the cover to score in the corner for a try converted by Kurtis Herbert, 7-0.

Stroud lengthened their lead when the pack drove over the line following a well-executed catch and drive. Gareth Culpan was credited with the try which Herbert converted, 14-0. Shortly afterwards he kicked a penalty, 17-0.

Stroud kept the pressure on, showing ambition and confidence and two long breaks by Sam Hester and Pete Sykes brought Stroud very close to further points.

Yatton, however, counter-attacked but a promising move was hindered by a dropped ball.

Quick as a flash, Dan Gordon picked up the loose ball and just managed to outpace the defence in a fifty-metre dash to the line, 22-5.

Flanagan went off with a rib injury shortly afterwards and was replaced by Reagan Herbert. Yatton closed the lead with a try in the corner just before half-time, 22-10.

After the break Stroud went further ahead with an impressive try by Sam Leworthy, again converted by Herbert, 29-10.

Leworthy was making a welcome return to the first team after his serious facial injury suffered in the first game against Yatton. He displayed strong running and a Dando-esque hand-off.

The lively and opportunist Joe Ashenford then took a quick penalty, breaching the Yatton defence with startling acceleration and provided Gordon with an easy pass enabling him to touch the ball down over the line. Herbert again converted, 36-10. Rob Higgins was having his usual excellent all-round game being especially effective at restarts.

Sam Hester was next to score when he cleverly caught a bouncing ball and pirouetted out of two tackles, giving him a clear run to the line, 41-10.

The final try was again provided by the livewire half-backs with Joe Ashenford again taking a quick penalty, making the break, and unselfishly passing back inside to Gordon for him to complete a hat-trick of tries. Herbert again converted, 48-10.

This was a match enjoyed by both players and spectators.

The team as a whole played very controlled attacking rugby and man of the match goes to captain Harry Foote whose strong running and tackling enabled others to enjoy the freedom of the park.

Stroud have a tough fixture on Saturday at Coney Hill.