STROUD’S unbeaten run continued with their 18th consecutive win of the season as they defeated Gordano 47-17 at Fromehall Park.

With Dan Smith out injured, Joe Hoyle took over the captaincy.

Stroud got off to a bright start. Joe Owen linked well with Matt Hunt, who carried into the Gordano 22. Hoyle then found Regan Herbert on a hard line and a powerful surge took him past three tacklers before he offloaded to Sam Leworthy to cross by the posts. Kurtis Herbert converted. 7-0.

Stroud increased their lead when solid scrummaging allowed Regan Herbert to pick and drive through the covering defence to score out wide. Kurtis Herbert converted. 14-0.

The final 10 minutes of the half were ragged with Stroud conceding a number of penalties, which gave Gordano the opportunity of some territory and possession.

Gordano moved the ball through the phases and on the stroke of half-time gained their reward as a forward drove over from close range after a patient build up.

Stroud increased their lead after the break. A quick tap from Hoyle found Kurtis Herbert steaming up from deep and the centre crashed through from close range before converting his own try. 21-5.

Although in the ascendancy, Stroud could not quite exert the control they wanted and often their ambition led to a forced offload, which halted momentum. Despite this, Stroud looked as though they were capable of scoring from anywhere. A Gordano clearance kick took play up to their own 10m line however the chaser did not mark the lineout and allowed the quick thinking Sykes to feed Owen, who showed power, pace and elusiveness on an arcing run, which saw him cross by the posts for a superb individual score. Kurtis Herbert converted. 28-5.

Voyce carried strongly before Hoyle fed Leworthy. Using his strength and trademark fend, he powered through the defence before drawing the full-back and offloading to the supporting Hoyle, who scooted in and around under the posts. Kurtis Herbert again added the extras. 35-5.

Stroud were on occasions vulnerable in defence. Gordano always looked to move the ball and exploited gaps in the defensive line to break the advantage line. Scrambling defence stopped the initial carriers, but good continuity enabled Gordano to score two tries in quick succession. 35-17.

Great clear-out work at the breakdown allowed Ashenford to dummy and snipe before accelerating away from the defence to score by the posts. Herbert again converted. 42-17.

Back on the front foot again, Stroud continued with their free-flowing brand of rugby. Solid carries from Allen and Hunt set the platform before Marsh fed Leworthy to again cause havoc up the middle, leaving tacklers in his wake. An acrobatic offload allowed Herbert to carry on the move before a long ranging pass found Phipps on the left wing. From 50m, he outpaced his opposite number before side-stepping the full-back to put the finish to a tremendous team score. Unfortunately, Herbert’s conversion drifted wide, his only miss of the afternoon.

1 Josh Stratton 2 Phil Fruin 3 Tommy Warner 4 Ben Stephens 5 Joe Owen 6 Connor Voyce 7 Matt Hunt 8 Regan Herbert 9 Joe Hoyle (Capt) 10 Jake Marsh 11 Jordan Phipps 12 Sam Leworthy 13 Kurtis Herbert 14 Peter Sykes 15 Sam Hester 16 Tom Allen 17 Sam Davies 18 Joe Ashenford.

Stroud travel to Matson Saturday, 2.30pm.