Gloucester Premier

Stroud 48 Dursley 15

DURSLEY suffered a derby defeat at Stroud despite a committed performance.

The match started well for Dursley with a penalty just two minutes in, which fly half Grant Boucher slotted easily to give them the lead.

Stroud missed several chances to add points in the next five minutes, missing two penalty kicks at the posts and not taking advantage of a well-positioned scrum.

However, at the 12 minute mark Dursley lost their own lineout 15 metres out which Stroud spun along the back line for captain Josh Stratton to barge over under the posts for a try that Nathan Taylor converted.

Midway through the half Dursley lost their own scrum, and Sam Leworthy produced a long forceful run which led to a try by Taylor in the corner, extending Stroud’s lead to 12-3.

The remainder of the first half saw Stroud run in three more tries from Dan Gordon, Harry Phillips and Taylor with one conversion, taking the scoreline to 29-3.

In the dying minutes of the half Dursley came into their own and from a turnover by Jack Rowe the forwards punched a hole in the Stroud defence to score but the ball was judged to have been held up.

Dursley continued on the attack and eventually from a quick tap penalty taken by flanker Simon Camm came the elusive try, and Boucher skimmed the conversion inches wide of the post.

The half-time talk seemed to work wonders for Dursley and on 48 minutes skipper Scott Udal crossed to score with Boucher adding the conversion.

Stroud quickly replied with an unconverted try from Taylor.

The next 20 minutes saw Stroud firmly camped in the Dursley 22 but the defence was immense.

The hosts eventually breached the defence and scored a further converted try through Gordon with ten minutes left to play 41-15.

On the final play of the game Phillips added another converted try.

Coach Alan Evans was pleased by his Dursley squad’s commitment and, despite being so many points adrift, they never let their heads drop and played some good rugby.