GRFU Roadchef Senior County Cup Stroud RFC 8 Spartans 19

STROUD will be kicking themselves for not making the best of their dominant forward power in this quarter- final, writes Andy Toohig. Early pressure was rewarded when Josh Lister slotted a penalty.

However, Stroud were down to 14 men when a committed tackle was deemed high and Julian Harry was given ten minutes reflection behind the posts.

Regardless of this it was Stroud's pack that held sway until a Spartans rolling maul split open and with absentees at half-back Ryan Gribbon sprinted to the line unopposed from 25 metres.

This took the wind out of Stroud's sails and they fell further behind when John Williams scored. At this stage there was a suggestion of writing on the wall as Spartans made very good use of their speedier backline on an inferior supply of ball.

Spartans' third try started from a half-hearted tackle that never was going to bring down the man, the ball was fed wide at speed and some lovely interchanges and switched angles allowed Cylan Andrews to score, the extras were added.

Forward power apart Stroud had little to offer but were given hope before the break when a penalty was kicked to touch. The subsequent catch and drive rewarded Rob Davey who appeared from under the pile.

Thus the half came to an end with Spartans 19-8 to the good but with a possibility of Stroud getting back into the match in the second half.

Stroud continued to make Spartans suffer in the forwards, especially at scrums where they were pushed back at will, and were even able to snuff out counter-attacks from Spartans' backs, but could find no way through.

Dave Clutterbuck failed to make the best of two glaring opportunities though. Lurking wide out he took a pass and attacked. Covering defence brought him down but he was convinced that the ball was grounded as he slid over the line, the linesman felt otherwise and a five-metre scrum was given.

There was only one option for Stroud and that was to drive Spartans back over their line.

Their first attempt came to nothing as the scrum fell apart but at the reset Stroud pushed straight and put Spartans into reverse gear only to see the defending scrum-half touch the ball down before Clutterbuck was able to collect at number eight and score.

STROUD travel to Bristol Harlequins this Saturday.