Hester scores hatrick as Stroud thrash Cirencester by 53 points SSE South West Division Gloucester Premier Stroud Rugby 53 – 0 Cirencester Stroud got their promotion campaign back on track after last week’s disappointing defeat at Bream with a devastating display of finishing against local rivals and promotion challengers Cirencester at Fromehall Park, writes Trevor Hodges. The home crowd had barely time to button up their winter coats when Stroud were off the mark. Securing possession from a lineout in Cirencester’s 22, Stroud drove toward the Cirencester line and initially looked to have to have chosen the wrong option running towards the narrow side from the breakdown, but the Cirencester defence hesitated as a pass was fumbled, giving Peter Sykes the opportunity to open the scoring, skilfully gathering the ball and diving under the cover tackle in the corner. Sykes converted his own try. On 5 minutes it looked like Cirencester were back in the game, but a great covering tackle by Sam Hester, brought down the opposition wing yards from the Stroud line. But soon after Stroud stretched the lead to 12 – 0 with an unconverted Hester try on 8 minutes following a trade mark Dan Gordon miss pass. Harry Phillips was the grateful recipient, finding himself in space behind the Cirencester defence, a clever inside pass to Hester giving the fullback a free ride to the line. Cirencester looked to have stemmed the tide for a period, and had the edge in the scrums, only to go further behind on 17 minutes when Rob Higgins emerged from the drive off the back of lineout on the opposition’s 5 yard line. Soon after Cirencester gifted Stroud a converted try when Matt Hunt collected the ball from his charge down of an attempted clearance kick to score near the posts. On 27 minutes, Sam Hester returned the favour to Harry Phillips, when arriving in the line at speed he was put clear from a long miss pass by Dan Gordon, and offloaded to Phillips to score in the corner. Before the home support could draw breath, a brilliant slight of hand from Dan Gordon, released Lex Brookes into space on 30 minutes, setting up Sam Hester to outpace the Cirencester defence. However, Cirencester were not giving up and just before half time, it looked like Cirencester had finally made the score sheet, only for the try to be adjudged a double movement. Now with some confidence and steadied by former Stroud centre Adam Seager, Cirencester started to probe the Stroud defence. The home side stood fast and on the stroke of half time turned over ball in their in own half. Clever interplay between forwards and backs released Dan Gordon who was hauled down short of the Cirencester try line, but Lex Brookes was on hand to receive the pop pass to score by the posts, Jo Ashenford adding the conversion. Turning round 36 -Nil at half time, Stroud closed in for the half century. Within 3 minutes of the restart, Liam Hopkins scored his first try for the 1st XV in over 12 months since returning from a serious knee injury. Jo Ashenford slotted the conversion. Further Christmas cheers was added on 46 minutes when forwards and backs linked up to set Harry Phillips clear to score his second try of the game. Stroud kept the best till last, and with it they secured the half century on 70 minutes. Dan Gordon, who would later be receive the man of the match award from match sponsor, the Ashenford family, threw a sublime miss pass to Hester who hit the line at speed, outstripping the Cirencester defence to score out wide. This was great all round display by Stroud and the win was a great wedding gift for player/coach Sam Viggers whose wedding day it was. Stroud now enjoy a well-earned rest before resuming their promotion campaign away at Frampton Cotterell on 10th January 2015. Photos courtesy of Gary Learmonth, Red Piranha Photography
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 22:04:00 +0000
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