A NEW set of shirts, generously donated by the GRFU, could not help the Stroud & District Combination Vets hold off their counterparts from the Cheltenham Combination in the annual fixture played at Stroud RFC's Fromehall Park ground.

The match resulted in a clear victory for the visiting Cheltenham team. They were younger, quicker and more skilful than Stroud's older, greyer and heavier 17-man squad who mainly comprised forwards.

There were representatives from the majority of both Combination's clubs and the game was played in an excellent spirit.

Minchinhampton's Gino Beaumont scored the home team's sole try following good build-up work by the forward's catch-and-drive line-out. It was spectacularly converted from the touchline by stand-in fly half Dave Barley.

Stroud squad: from schools – A Blaylock, J Whalley; from Cirencester RFC – S Collyer-Bristow, J Newman, T Skelton; from Dursley RFC – A Darcy-Watt; from Stroud RFC – R Davey, L Marshall; from RFU – D Barley; from Wotton RFC – R Drake, J Needs, L Barton; from Minchinhamtpon RFC – C Eagles, S Whittemore, D Maller, F Smith, G Beaumont.