South West 2 West Truro RFC 29 Stroud RFC 15

STROUD are set to be rocked by the loss of key-performer Adam Seagar. The Stroud man has taken up a job offer in London and his departure will be a crushing blow for the Fromehall Park side.

Meanwhile, on Saturday and in the teeth of a strong wind and persistent rain, injury hit Stroud found themselves on the back foot for much of the first half.

Truro's lively backs stretched Stroud's defence, but it was central midfield where the damage was done.

With yet another different set of loose forwards starting, lack of organised defence and poor first time tackles allowed Steve Martin to glide through almost unopposed for a brace of early tries. He converted his first try but missed the second a few minutes later.

Mike Thornley added a consolation penalty in a rare foray into Truro's half but missed a couple of other awkward opportunities. Stroud were to have their moments, Ed Crampton stealing through Truro's defence twice.

Unfortunately the first chance went begging with no close support available to take a clear try scoring pass, the second Stroud simply made a meal of getting the ball wide and good Truro defence stifled the attack from a couple of metres out.

Further indiscipline allowed Martin to add three more penalties with Ed Lawrence being driven over from close range giving Truro a 26-3 lead at the break. In retrospect Stroud had let maybe fifteen points slip through their fingers.

As it was Martin slotted his fourth penalty early after the restart, but changes followed for Stroud. Ed Crampton, having taken a knock in the warm up, was replaced by Adam Tarplee at centre and within two minutes Tarplee crossed the line, Thornley converted.

Andy Jarrett also left the field with Darren Eagles entering the fray, the pack was reshuffled and Tarplee moved home to flanker.

Truro were further worried when Eagles crossed in the corner and with Stroud maintaining pressure there was a whiff of a surprise comeback, but it wasn't to be.

With a league break Stroud will hope to welcome back Julian Harry, Rob Davey, Jerry Perrins and John Farr, Steve Bewick, Rupert Wakefield and Rupert Darch.

Meanwhile, Brian Pearse will miss the season after having surgery with a torn Achilles. He will be in a cast for ten weeks.