Stroud 43-12 Winscombe 

IT was an emotional match at Fromehall park on Saturday.

One minute’s silence was held in respect of club stalwart, Pete Bateman, who as a player, supporter and sponsor was involved with the club over many decades.

He would have relished an outstanding display of attacking rugby by a Stroud side who were clearly stung by last week’s defeat.

The hosts started well and a long run by the invigorated Dan Gordon who nearly sent Jack Young over in the corner.

A returning Phil Middlemiss showed up well with his long carries and happily both shoulders seemed intact at the end of a very physical but fair contest.

Stroud were quickly on the scoreboard when, following good driving play by the pack, Gordon came into the line at pace and was able to drive past the defender to score near the posts. Pete Sykes converted, 7-0.

The next try showed whole team involvement with the forwards making good ground in their own half before releasing their backs.

Sykes surged past three defenders and just before being bundled into touch, passed back inside to the supporting Joe Hoyle, who showed the defence a clean pair of heels, to score under the posts. Sykes converted, 14-0.

Stroud were brought back to reality when the doughty Winscombe side scored two tries following some fragile tackling.

The hosts realised they would have to reignite their afterburners and the forwards redoubled their efforts to win good ball, which saw Jake Marsh take on the defence with an elusive run.

He was able to set Gordon free who duly scored near the posts for a try which Sykes converted, 21-12.

Further attacks saw Luke Peer dot down when he finished a flowing move with a try in the corner, 26-12.

Young added another shortly afterwards to make it 31-12.

Strong driving play by Tom Warner and Josh Stratton began to take its toll on weary Winscombe tacklers and this led to two more tries.

Hoyle made a snappy break from the base of the ruck and he released Sykes who had the pace to run forty metres to the line, 36-12.

The final try followed a long, loping run from the impressive Middlemiss who showed deceptive pace to take him near the line and he passed inside to the supporting Marsh who scored near the posts. Sykes converted, 43-12.