Western Counties North - Stroud 29 Spartans 5.

STROUD will have to be on their toes when they make the tough trip to Thornbury on Saturday (3pm), writes Andy Toohig.

However, Adam Tarplee's side were boosted by a workmanlike victory over Spartans at Fromehall Park.

Jimmy Sharples opened the scoring for Stroud with a neat try. However, Spartans responded with a try of their own through Ross Webb.

Nonetheless, Tarplee was leading by example, and got his reward from the last in a series of five-metre defensive scrums that Spartans failed to control at their own put in.

The ball fell loose and went begging to the first pair of hands, Tarplee took his opportunity well and Jo Billau split the posts.

Half-time arrived with Stroud ahead 12-5, but with Spartans Ryan Gwillam in the bin.

Stroud were a different team after the break and extended their lead when Billau was fed from a ruck and crossed in the corner.

The door was shut on Spartans when a good attack on the left was switched with a lovely cross field kick to Sharples. He caught the ball but being covered passed inside to the supporting Josh Lister who cut a good diagonal path to score.

Rob Bashford did manage to drag his pack with him for a late try after tiring Spartans forwards, now devoid of John Lloyd who had been binned for a late tackle, failed to defend one solid drive.