A WIN at leaders Yatton would have kept Stroud in touch with promotion aspirations but in filthy conditions both teams scrapped it out in an entertaining contest with Yatton sneaking the win, writes Andy Toohig.

Against the elements Stroud opened brightly and looked for an early break, but Yatton are a tough outfit and battled back well showing a desire to play for each other.

They undid themselves though when a promising attack from a scrum saw a telegraphed pass gratefully accepted by Josh Lister.

He evaded a couple of defenders but as he was run down inside Yatton's half the supporting Rob Matts collected a well timed pass to sprint for the line.

Matters got a little testy when Yatton's Neil Spellissey and Stroud's Luke Dando were asked to contemplate their handbags for 10 minutes.

Yatton maintained their rhythm and continued to ask questions of Stroud's defence but excellent work from the classy Adam Tarplee, Matts and Dave Clutterbuck kept them at bay.

Meanwhile, Kiwi, Lyle Robertson, seemed to enjoy the conditions with a couple enterprising counter attacks, and Jimmy Sharples had a couple of mesmerising runs before being brought down.

Indiscipline cost Stroud though and Steve Osborne slotted a brace of penalties for offside and later handling in a ruck prior to half -time giving Yatton a slender lead of 6-5, but with the slope against them and sun in their eyes ahead.

Stroud were at Yatton from the outset, but Yatton covered well and threw all they had back in return.

Stroud retained dominance in the scrums with their heavy weight front-row and both Matts and especially James Bashford controlling line-outs, nicking several Yatton throws.

It became a battle of attrition in worsening, muddy conditions with few real openings for either side and as the clock ticked away it was a case of next score wins. With 10 minutes left that moment arrived as Yatton were awarded an attacking five metre scrum.

The first had to be reset as it had been turned ninety by Stroud; they expected the put-in for the second but the referee felt otherwise.

The scrum turned well past 90 degrees again and Yatton's backs peeled away and drove over, Osborne added the extras.

On a sodden pitch neither side were going to work clear openings and relied upon each others errors to gain ground, but Stroud will feel aggrieved suffering a loss from a defensive scrum, especially as they had pushed Yatton around the field all afternoon at set pieces.

*Stroud entertain Bristol Harlequins on Saturday (2.30pm).

*Stroud Nomads make the trip to Lydney.