EDF ENERGY CUP.

Stroud 30 - Walcot 7.

STROUD progressed to the last 16 of the South West area in the EDF Energy Cup on Saturday. They ran away with the game in the final quarter after the tie could have gone either way for the first 60 minutes, writes Robin Cooke.

The opening exchanges were fairly even but Stroud took the lead after 12 minutes when an exciting move, started by Lyle Robertson, saw the ball move swiftly along the backs for Dan Gordon to score. The conversion was missed.

Stroud were on top for the rest of the half but were unable to break through a determined Walcot defence.

They managed one score shortly before the interval when Walcot were penalised for handling in the ruck.

Josh Lister kicked the penalty to give Stroud an 8 - 0 half time lead.

The start of the second half saw a complete turnaround with Walcot having all the play and Stroud unable to break out of their own half.

The pressure was rewarded when Walcot left wing James Weir crossed for a well worked try which was converted by Lee Dixon.

Stroud made substitutions to try and turn things round. Tom Maller replaced Grant Nash, who had shown a lot of promise in the last two games, and Judd Martin replaced John Allen.

The turning point seemed to come on the hour when Andy Jarrett was sin binned for pulling down a maul but Dixon missed the straight forward penalty.

Walcot seemed to lose their momentum after this and, although Lister missed a penalty chance for Stroud, the hosts extended their lead after 67 minutes when Lister intercepted the ball and ran forty metres to score in the corner.

The conversion was missed but Stroud began to get their first half dominance back. After Tom Burcher replaced Jarrett a penalty by Lister put Stroud 16 - 7 ahead.

On 80 minutes, after John Farr had replaced Martin, Walcot lost the ball in the tackle and James Sharples ran 30 metres to score under the post. Farr converted and Stroud were out of sight at 23 - 7.

Right on time, Walcot spilled possession in their own 22 and Farr started a move which saw good linking play between forwards and backs end with scrum half John Wand crossing for a try.

Julian Harry kicked the conversion and the final whistle sounded with Stroud comfortable winners by 30 - 7.

Next Saturday, Stroud return to league action with an away match at top of the table Yatton, kick off 2.30 pm.