STROUD bounced back from their heavy defeat the weekend before to record a convincing yet testing bonus-point win over Spartans RFC under the lights on Friday evening.

A bumper crowd had turned out to watch the Counties 2 Gloucestershire North League match and both teams looked to play from the off.

It was an even start to the game, with Stroud looking to move the ball wide was much as possible, but with errors in execution and breakdown penalties allowing Spartans opportunities in the Stroud half.

As the game progressed, Stroud increasingly held the upper hand at set piece, providing the platform for some well-taken tries from the backs as well as a driving maul try from a 5m line out.

Spartans never went away, however, and it was only good defence from the hosts that prevented them from adding to their tally.

However, as the game went on, Stroud were able to capitalise on the opportunities, taking the final score to 36-10.

There was no Nomads (Stroud 2s) game this week, but the Colts had a big derby game in the league on Sunday, heading up the hill to Hollybush Farm to play Minch Colts.

A tough match played in terrible conditions was the order of the day, but in the end Stroud were on the right side of a 14-8 score line and another 4 points in the league.