The Glos academy boys were back but Stroud were still missing a number of players through injuries. Matson were the visitors to Fromehall with a reduced squad size of 13. This caused a frantic reshuffle as the coaches agreed to remove the flankers – the one position where Stroud had an abundant of riches. Never mind – we still have a lot of backs out injured so they could get game minutes by hiding out on the wings!

Games against Matson were always tight physical affairs. In last 3 years the biggest winning margin had been no more than 7 points so would today be a massacre, or a tense battle to the death?

Forwards: Bernie, Orgy, Carlos, Laurie, Mr T, Jake
Backs: Lofty, Will, Dave, Arthur, James, Flash, Alex
Backs Sub: Hilly
2nd Row Subs: Darion, Lucas, Jedd
Flanker aka Winger Subs: Callum, Harry, Perys, Euan, Stoner

Stroud’s kickoff bounced into touch so Matson had a lineout restart that they duly won and attacked left with their pacey backs. Dave was up for the challenge and tracked across and tackled them into touch. Just like the good ‘ole days Laurie won the Stroud lineout and Dave crashed the ball up the inside on a perfectly weighted pass from Will. Alex ran up the left and the ball was switched back to the right and Dave took it into the Matson 22. Orgy and Bernie won the breakdown and Lofty sniped from the ruck close to the line. Matson were penalised so Stroud took the attacking penalty but Jake knocked on from the base of the scrum. Matson won their scrum and kicked deep but Alex was waiting to run it back and then Mr T took on the next attack. Matson were doing well at the breakdown – they had 13 flanker sized players on the pitch and Stroud had none – so were stealing the ball at regular intervals.

Matson knocked on the turnover ball so Stroud had another scrum. This time Dave had a run and again Matson were penalised. Will put the ball right in the corner and Orgy's perfect throw found Laurie but an accidental obstruction in the drive gave Matson a penalty escape. They lost their lineout though and Bernie bravely snaffled the ball amongst the boots. The next phase went nowhere so back for a Stroud scrum on the Matson 22. Jake had a good run from #8. Then Mr T had 2 pounding runs in close succession. Flash had a run up the left but got trapped so back for Jake and Mr T to pound into the Matson spirited defenders. Carlo went Rhino and earnt a penalty. A quick tap penalty got Carlo right upto the line. Laurie went rhino and forced his way over the line in the left corner. A tricky kick into the wind was aced by captain Will and Stroud had started fast at 7-0.

Matson kicked deep – helped by the swirling wind – and Alex knocked on. Too much time at centres the last few weeks and not enough at Full back was the only excuse he could offer. Matson won the scrum in the Stroud 22 and attacked strongly left and right. Stout tackling by Carlo, Arthur and Lofty kept Matson out but they showed good control to work the ball back left and score in the corner. The kick was missed with the score at 7-5.

Stroud kicked off and Matson hacked it back up the pitch. Harry dived on it well and earnt a penalty that Will kicked upto the 22. Another Laurie lineout win but this time Dave knocked on as he was sizing up which opponent to run over. Matson won their scrum and went on a number of attacking runs into the Stroud half. Carlo had enough so decided to remove his opponents shirt in the tackle in the hopes that blindfolding his opponent would slow him down. Matson kept the ball alive and got it out to their speedy winger who motored down the line with a try looking inevitable. Alex positioned himself well though and took down the attacker in the Stroud 22 and forced a knock-on. Stroud had a try restart and Dave took a crash ball up the middle, ran over 2 opponents Stu Hendry style (you had to be there vs Avonmouth on Saturday - link here - goto 4:20 in video Stu Hendry Run) and scored from 80 yards out. Will’s kick was missed but Stroud were back in control at 12-5.

Laurie caught the next kickoff and ran it back well. Mr T was next into contact at a rate of knots but Matson were defending valiantly but straying off-side so Stroud were given a penalty that was kicked into Matson territory. Laurie again took the accurate Orgy throw and Lofty sniped down the side. Good forward play by Laurie and Carlo sucked in more defenders. The backs attacked right and good hands got it out to Arthur but he lost it in contact close to the line. Matson won their scrum restart and kicked deep and this time Flash was on run back duties and won a penalty that was kicked to touch. The lineout throw went long but Matson knocked it on so Stroud had a scrum on the 22. Now for the best attack of the match….. A secure scrum and quick hands from Lofty and Will got the ball to Dave, instead of crashing forward he passed back to a looping Will who popped a pass to hard running Alex, two tacklers were side stepped and then a deft inside ball to Jake got Stroud within 5 metres. Jedd and Harry won the ruck and Lofty saw an accelerating Dave who dived over in the far corner. To finish off a brilliant move all you need is a brilliant conversion from wide and Will duly delivered. 19-5 the Stroud lead and everything going to plan.

Jedd caught the next kickoff and earnt some hard yards. Jake was next into contact and then Dave up to halfway. A accidental kick to the head stopped the game while he was removed for a HIA assessment. We could hear him grumbling from the changing rooms so we knew his head was working, but Delia erred on the side of caution and kept him out the rest of the game. Stroud attacked from the scrum and Jake now out in Centre was straight into action. He got isolated though and Matson earnt a penalty for holding on. Laurie managed to steal the subsequent lineout throw and Orgy bravely dived on the loose ball. The backs attacked left and Will gruber kicked into space and Stroud recovered the ball. The attack went nowhere and the teams took it in turn to snaffle turnovers. Lucas was knocking players out the way and securing loose ball but all to no avail as shortly after Matson earnt a penalty. They quickly tapped the ball and attacked left and cut back inside to get into the Stroud 22. More tough running got them close to the line and a last gasp high tackle was enough to earn a penalty try right on half time.

Half Time: Stroud 19 – 12 Matson

More subs were taken as we rotated our way through the flankers and 2nd row subs. Hilly came on at scrum half and Lofty pushed out to the wing.

Matson kicked off and Lofty was straight into the action with a secure catch and pass to Will who kicked it upto half way. The next few minutes both teams neutralised each other until Stroud won a turnover. Quick hands got the ball out to Darion and he showed great skills to catch the ball behind him, keep the attack going and then pass onto winger Lofty. An unfortunate forward pass though denied Stroud a try scoring opportunity. Matson won their scrum and bravely ran it out from under their posts but the blue defensive line held firm and kept Matson penned in their own 22 until they eventually knocked on in a Stoner/Darion sandwich tackle. Stroud had a scrum on the Matson 22 and attacked right. Hilly got taken out at the breakdown which Will kicked to touch. The lineout went awry but Stoner recovered it well and setup Euan and Jedd for good runs. Matson turned the ball over in a maul though and then earnt a penalty.

Again they ran it out from under their posts and chaos ensued as they ran it in harem-scarem fashion. Stroud were missing a few tackles and the lack of organised defensive structure with the constant churn of subs and position swaps wasn’t helping their cause. Stroud ripped the ball lose in a Carlo tackle which went into touch on the Stroud 10 metre line. Matson won the lineout and kicked over the top but Will secured it well and kicked it back deep. Matson ran it out of their 22 and kicked for touch but the ball went straight out so back for a Stroud lineout that Darion secured well. Another penalty was awarded to Stroud but Wills kick to the corner just missed and Matson had a 22 drop out. Jake recovered it well and Euan had a good run. Will kicked into space but Matson showed great skill to run it back powerfully and force missed tackles. Alex and Euan both slowed down the attacks with good tackles but Matson kept the ball alive well and their right winger scored a try and alertly ran it under the posts to give his kicker an easy conversion and a draw at 19-19. Matson in the ascendency for sure.

Stroud's kickoff went straight out so Matson had a scrum on halfway and had some good attacking runs into the Stroud 22. Stroud fought well at the breakdown and Callum and Bernie won a turnover and subsequent penalty. The ball was kicked upto halfway but Matson competed well and stole the lineout. More chaos as Matson ran it in all directions with no structure to their play, but fast feet and quick hands winning out over desperate Stroud tackling. Matson looked to have worked an overlap and scored in the corner but a last gasp tackle from Alex had forced the player into touch as he crossed the try line and was trying to touchdown. Stroud had a 22 drop out but Matson organised themselves well and ran the ball back well, secured rucks and eventually forced an overlap and a score in the corner. The kick was missed but Matson had their first lead of the game at 24-19. 19 points unanswered and now Jake leaving the pitch to join an injured Dave !

The Stroud kickoff bounced into touch and Matson lost their lineout to a Laurie steal. Stroud earnt a penalty that was quickly tapped and Laurie went on a powerful run – he forgot how to sidestep the last defender so just ran into him. The ref blew for a high tackle and issued a yellow card. The Matson player had a different viewpoint and told the ref as much so the card then became red. Could Stroud capitalise ? A quick tap penalty and fast hands from Will, Alex, and Arthur drew in all the defenders and gave Lofty a clear run to the line and the equalising try. The conversion from wide was missed with the score now level again at 24-24.

Alex was next on kick return duty. Then Mr T and Flash worked their magic with Arthur breaking into the Matson half. The ball came out to Perys and he weaved his way up the wing until clattered to the ground on the Matson 22. More good control from the forwards with Carlo bringing it back into the centre. The ball came out to Alex and he cut back inside and dodged 2 tackles. 5 metres short of the line he started to go to ground and a last gasp tackle looked to have denied him a try but his orangutan arms stretched out and the ball kissed the try line and a try was awarded. Arthurs celebration dance was enough to convince the ref vs the Matson denials. Photographic evidence from Guilia later showed the ref was correct and 5 points well earnt. An easy conversion and Stroud had re-taken the lead at 31-24. Could they hold on for the last few minutes?

Matson kicked off and Laurie went on a lumbering run – 50 yards later he crossed into the Matson 22 but a last gasp tackle knocked the ball loose and Matson had a scrum. They attacked left and a floating pass was nearly intercepted by James. Matson had another scrum they won but more good defending from Stoner and Carlo kept Matson bottled up. James was next into the tackles followed on by Orgy. Matson kept the ball alive well as Stroud players tired. Lofty put in a good tackle and knocked the ball loose. Stroud has a scrum on their own 22 and Arthur ran it out well. Then Lofty and Laurie had more good runs deep into the Matson half. Somehow the ball was turned over and Matson went on a desperate attack up the right wing. Good tackling by Will and Alex seemed to have stopped the threat but the ball came loose and was then hacked on. The Matson winger timed it well and picked up the bouncing ball and scored under the posts. Players paused waiting for the refs decision and after playing it through in his head he awarded the try. The conversion was good and the ref blew for full time.

Matson were ecstatic and Stroud were distraught. The parents were confused – had Matson sneaked victory on the final play? The match reporters notes were double checked and he confidently declared a draw. “But your notes are always made up” jeered Jenks. The ref was consulted and he too agreed it was a draw so the match reporters integrity was intact – for another week anyway…..

Full Time: Stroud 31 – 31 Matson

Tunnels were formed and the players clapped each other off the pitch. I am sure Will (and Keyan) will get plenty of banter at school and DPP from his Matson mates.

Team debrief was held and players were praised for their effort again, but also reminded that they had the game won and then let the emotion of the situation take them over and not play in a controlled manner. We are used to playing 15-a-side and playing patterns and organising ourselves defensively against other structured teams but today the chaos of constant subs, players out of position again, and playing against a very physical Matson team that ran it in all directions against normal convention had been our undoing. A good lesson learnt that you have to play the game and compete against whatever tactics your opponents use.

Fair play to Matson. They were excellent in the game. They kept going from whistle to whistle and never gave up. They did their coaches and club proud with that spirit. Hopefully they can keep going and attract some more players for the rest of the season. We look forward to more competitive fixtures in the future. No one likes ending on a draw. We need to find a winner after todays draw so see you next season ! Thanks also to the ref for keeping the game flowing.

Next week its Minch away so another battle of the school mates. Lets do the double on them this season lads.