Stroud U 15s 7

Minchinhampton U15s 15

ANOTHER bruising encounter saw Minchinhampton edge out their local rivals in a physical battle in which neither team was able to show the flowing rugby both teams are capable of.

Minch started to gain the upper hand and a strike against the head by Minch saw Stroud caught flat-footed as Calum Roe charged over from close range after some neat work by scrum-half Aiden Riley.

Minch gained confidence from this and started to dominate both possession and territory with Fergus Watson.

A superb forward drive resulted in another close range score from Roe, who had a great game. The first-half finished with a fine try from winger Dev Biddlecombe who received a clever pass from lock Quinn Leadbeater.

The second-half was a scrappier affair with Stroud using the wind and their larger squad intelligently.

Minch found that possession was mostly with their opponents and, under the impressive boot of Toby Bruton, had to rely on some fine defensive play by Dan Harris, Liam Nash and Tom Quainton with a notable try saving tackle coming from Nick Frank.

Eventually pressure told and Joe Cohen scored a well deserved try which they converted. Minch showed their spirit by marching up the field at the death and were on the Stroud five yard line when the whistle blew.

Star Man: Tom Quainton.