County Cup
Sunday 25th February, 2007

'Cote Close In On Quater-Final Spot

Stroud 7 – Hucclecote 15

A late Harry Kirkham try was enough to stretch Hucclecote U13s unbeaten run to ten games after a tough encounter at Stroud.

In a stop start game both sides struggled to get any real pattern into their play.  Stroud dominated for long periods and can feel aggrieved that they did not get more out the match.

Their forwards had almost total dominance and took a series of scrums against the head.  Without set piece ball to work with Hucclecote struggled to make any real impact and when they did get the ball it was often spilt or turned over in the tackle.

From the kick off Stroud attacked incessantly, the first ten minutes being played entirely in the Hucclecote half.  The game turned on a try saving Jack Steel tackle which resulted in a scrum to the visitors.

Flanker Craig Thompson sprinted towards half way before handing the ball on to scrum half Charlie Hurst to kick the ball into space behind the Stroud defence.  Will Canbilan’s chase forced the covering defender to run the ball into touch.  From the resulting lineout Josh Bailey powered over into the corner.

Hucclecote scored again on the stroke of half time, Harry Kirkham stole possession in a tackle and fed Callum Drummond who sprinted clear for the score.

The second period mirrored the first with Stroud attacking strongly and only resolute defence kept the home side out.

With ten minutes to go Stroud got the try their efforts deserved when they crashed over from a quick tap penalty, the conversion made the score 7 – 10 and set up a tense last few minutes.

Hucclecote held firm and launched a series of attacks through their forwards, eventually Kirkham picked up from the base of a five metre scrum to power over and make the game safe.