Sat 10 Sep 2022
Stratford travelled to Malvern on Saturday in search of their first league points of the season following a disappointing defeat at home to Ludlow seven days earlier. The Stratford side included several enforced changes following injuries to both flanker Dom Wan and Club Captain Dan Kirby and a host of other unavailability. These challenges, however, provided opportunities for two 1st XV debuts for prop Archie Small and lock Zak Amond – both products of the Stratford youth setup.
The conditions in Malvern were perfect for a quick and open game with dry and still weather on a firm pitch. Stratford started the game in a spirited fashion from the kick-off with crunching tackles putting Malvern immediately under pressure, however a couple of penalties in the opening exchanges allowed Malvern some breathing room. Inside 5 minutes Stratford suffered a blow in the shape of stand-in Skipper Tom Stanley being sent to the sinbin for an alleged trip. The ensuing 10-minute period saw Malvern exert large amounts of pressure however it looked as though the Stratford defence would hold firm despite the home side’s man advantage. A series of great defensive efforts repelling waves of Malvern attacks saw Stratford gain early ascendancy in the loose but, against the run of play, a Malvern counter-attack led to a try in the corner just before Stanley’s return to the field.
Once back up to a full compliment Stratford showed their power at the set piece – a dominant scrummage providing the platform for Stratford to strike back almost immediately through a training park first-phase move involving almost the entire backline and finished by the evergreen Jo Cook out wide. The conversion was pushed wide and the scores were level at 5-5. Stratford began to settle into the game and looked to be getting the better of the exchanges in the middle third with great physicality, despite being on the wrong side of the referee’s whistle. A breakdown in communications in midfield saw the Malvern stand-off pick a gap and sprint through to score, unopposed, under the posts. The conversion was successful and following some even exchanges in the middle third the half drew to a close.
Just two minutes into the second half the Pearcecroft men found themselves on the wrong side of the law once again, conceding a penalty in front of the posts about 30 yards out which was ably slotted by the Malvern 10. Straight from the resulting kick-off Stratford responded when Charlie Powell fielded a loose Malvern clearance a lunched an incisive run into the opposition half, quick recycling and deft hands created space on the opposite wing for veteran wing Dan Whitby to show his experience, beating multiple players on his way to the try line. Nath Geekie provided the extras and Stratford found themselves just 3 points adrift of the lead. A few minutes later Stratford turned down the chance of an easy 3 points to level the scores, opting for a lineout deep in the Malvern 22 – following several good phases a gap appeared for centre Geekie to skip through and touch down. His try edged Stratford into the lead, despite the conversion drifting wide. 15-17.
In the following 5 minutes both sides exchanged penalties, Malvern striking first and then Geekie bringing the score to 18-20. With 15 minutes remaining, further Stratford indiscipline allowed the Malvern fly-half to continue his metronomic form - slotting a long-range penalty. Stratford continued to press hard and on 70 minutes a no-arms tackle resulted in a Malvern yellow card, handing the advantage to a Stratford side beginning to look buoyant approaching the closing stages. The subsequent 7 minutes were spent with Stratford winning a string of penalties out wide which the pack turned into attacking line-out drives and on another day may have garnered a Penalty Try for the home side’s indiscipline however Stratford found themselves bundled into touch just inches from the line. Inexperience and indiscipline resulted in penalties taking Malvern from their own line to a penalty attempt in the Stratford third, with time in the red the penalty drifted wide and Stratford launched one final counter – for a moment the travelling Stratford support might have been imagining the last minute winner however this wasn’t to be and despite making 60 yards, the ball was knocked on bringing the match to a close, Malvern taking the spoils by a solitary point, 21-20.
Stratford will be aiming to make further enhancements to this much improved performance and get their season back to winning ways next week when they face Old Halesonians at Pearcecroft.
