CHIPPING SODBURY 3

STROUD 27

WITH both teams having registered emphatic winning scores the previous weekend there were two expectant groups of spectators willing their respective teams to lay down a marker for this season, and they were entertained accordingly, writes Russ Hillier.

It was the newly promoted Chipping Sodbury who opened the scoring with a penalty awarded virtually straight from the kick-off. With that score on the board the hosts then proceeded to dominate the early play forcing Stroud to defend their territory with some crunching tackles and then came a turning point. A superbly timed interception by Dan Gordon, who then went on to score under the posts, followed by a conversion by Curtis Herbert saw Stroud take the lead and thereafter control most of the game until the final whistle.

Spirited play from Chipping Sodbury saw that the game didn’t become too one-sided, but with a penalty conversion from Curtis Herbert and a fine try from Regan Herbert, again converted by Curtis Herbert saw Stroud go into half-time leading 17 points to 3.

The second half saw Stroud forwards in complete dominance forcing the opposition into submission and registering two inevitable push-over tries through Regan Herbert and finally “Aussie Bob” to make the score 27 – 3 in Stroud’s favour and registering another bonus point to keep them firmly in contention with all the teams at the top of League South West North.

The inclement weather did not stop Stroud from playing some fine open rugby and shows they have the ability to achieve something they haven’t registered for the last few seasons, namely, a good pre-Christmas start for both the 1st XV and their loyal supporters.