Stroud U15s 7

Minchinhampton U15s 15

ANOTHER bruising encounter saw Minchinhampton edge out their local rivals Stroud in a predominately physical battle.

After a cautious start from both teams Minch gained the upper hand and a strike against the head saw Stroud caught flat-footed as Calum Roe charged over from close range after some neat work by Aiden Riley in an impressive first start at scrum half.

A now-confident Minch started to dominate both possession and territory.

A superb forward drive resulted in another close-range score from Roe, who had a great game.

The first half finished with a fine try from winger Dev Biddlecombe who received a clever pass from lock Quinn Leadbeater.

The second half was a scrappier affair with Stroud using the wind and their larger squad intelligently.

With Stroud now dominating possession Minch had to rely on some fine defensive play by Dan Harris, Liam Nash and Tom Quainton, with a notable try-saving tackle coming from Nick Frank.

Eventually pressure told and Joe Cohen scored a well-deserved try which Stroud converted.

Minch showed their spirit by rallying hard and they were on the Stroud five-metre line when the whistle blew.

MoM: Tom Quainton.