Stroud............................................ 48 Avon................................................10

STROUD delighted a large crowd of former players at their annual reunion with an exhilarating display of attacking rugby, writes Sean Moore.

Sam Hester scored four tries in a comfortable victory at Fromehall Park.

The dry, warm conditions suited Stroud’s open handling style, but they first had to subdue a meaty and forceful Avon pack. They did gradually with parity in the set pieces.

Stroud’s pack were, however, quicker round the field and, crucially, more effective at the breakdowns. In this respect Regan Herbert was always prominent.

The first try was typical of the game overall. Stroud won the scrum and Dan Gordon made a break down the blindside and passed inside when confronted by the full-back. The supporting Hester was able to take the ball and go over near the posts. Pete Sykes converted.

His kicking game was extremely good, finishing with a haul of five conversions and one penalty goal, 7-0.

The Avon pack refused to be browbeaten and they deserved a well-worked pushover try, 10-5.

Stroud responded by scoring a long breakout try from their own 22.

Slick passing and strong running, particularly by Sam Leworthy, enabled Hester to score his second try, 17-5.

Phil Fruin again refused to conform to the stereotype front-row role and was prominent with his tackling, running and passing game.

Avon kept up the fight and scored another try to make the score 17-10.

After the break Stroud’s overall pressure became more apparent with Kiwi centre Brendon Wheeler making a sizeable contribution, displaying excellent handling and doughty tackling.

The next try was a repeat of a successful manoeuvre used in the last few weeks.

From a set piece Gordon cleverly disguised his intentions before providing Hester with a soft pop pass, enabling him to slice through the Avon defence to score under the posts.

Stroud were now at full throttle and energetic scrum half Joe Ashenford took a pass 40 metres out and outpaced the defence to score near the posts, 31-10.

Hester added to his tally with another brilliant try following skilful passing and hard running, 38-10.

Brendon Wheeler scored his first try for the club when he supported a complex overlap move which saw Sykes offloading cleverly near the corner for Wheeler to go over, 43-10. Sykes himself scored the final try, again following skilful and coordinated Stroud attacks, 48-10.

This was high-octane attacking rugby and demonstrates the improvements that Stroud have made recently.

They will need to demonstrate this again on Saturday if they are to gain victory over high-flying Avonmouth.