Chosen Hill 33

Stroud 37

STROUD claimed victory in a match of pulsating rugby, writes Sean Moore.

On a cold, dank day both sides offered reasons to feel optimistic about the game which was sensitively handled by an observant referee and two wired-up touch judges.

This ensured that the game flowed well and was not interrupted by any non-rugby issues. Both sides scored some fabulous tries with the lead constantly changing.

Stroud opened the scoring in textbook fashion. A well-flighted kick-off meant that Stroud gained a lineout on the Chosen Hill 22. Higgins caught the ball and the pack drove forward in a concerted fashion. The ball went out to Gordon who rifled a long, diagonal kick over the defence. Jordan Phipps gathered and scampered over in the corner. Herbert missed the conversion but gained a penalty shortly afterwards.

Some porous tackling enabled Chosen Hill to break away and score, and shortly afterwards they gained a second try to take the lead, 14-8. Stroud were now playing in a more accurate fashion and retaining passes and, after going through several phases, were awarded a penalty which Herbert converted, 14-11. Stroud then displayed superb fingertip passing enabling Sam Leworthy to breach the Chosen Hill defence. He engaged several players but somehow managed to conjure up a magical offload out of the back of his hand – like a Fijian 7 a side player. Sam Hester gleefully took the offload and went over near the posts. Herbert converted, 14-18.

Stroud were well served by the returning Phil Middlemiss and he and the ultra-reliable Rob Higgins made many valuable yards upfield and invariably set the ball up well allowing impact players, Smith and Stratton, to pick and go again.

Stroud were now playing with great confidence and Jordan Phipps ran well to score the next try following incisive running from Hester, Gordon and Leworthy. Stroud were benefitting markedly from the mobility of hooker Matt Hunt whose covering and support work suggested a high level of fitness. Flanker Sam Davis relished the fray and put in some cracking tackles. Chosen Hill narrowed the gap with a fine try from an attacking lineout, 19-25.

Using the slope and the wind, Stroud laid siege to the Chosen Hill line and following many phases from the dominant Stroud pack Sam Leworthy was set free. He powered his way through two tackles to score an excellent try, 19-30. Chosen Hill never gave up and were given a bonus when Gordon was yellow carded for a high tackle. Chosen Hill took advantage, scoring a converted try, bringing the score to 26-30.

The tension was now palpable as Stroud tried to protect their lead in the last few minutes. The clinching moment came when, following good three-quarter play, Phipps got the ball some twenty metres out, stood up one defender and arced his way to score a superb try in the corner. Altogether, a brilliant hat-trick for Phipps who again showed his all-round skills and speed, 26-37. Chosen Hill threw everything into the attack and were rewarded with a converted try.

Stroud had five minutes to negotiate and nervously shielded the ball to see out an excellent victory, 33-37.