Rance wants Stratford to get ‘nasty’

DIRECTOR of rugby Tom Rance says Stratford need to add a “little bit of nastiness” to their game following last Saturday’s defeat to title-chasing Bournville.

After recent losses to Whitchurch and Wolverhampton, the Black and Whites were desperate to get their promotion challenge back on track with a win at Pearcecroft.

But a ruthless Bournville proved too strong on the day, hitting back from 14-3 down to win 43-21 as Stratford slumped to their third defeat on the bounce.

“Sometimes you have to put your hand up and say the better team won,” Rance admitted.

“Our performance in parts was excellent and what we would expect. But there were parts in which we dropped off and only put in an 80 per cent performance, so that’s not great.

“We probably lacked a little bit of nastiness. Some clinical aspects of our game were missing and by contrast they were ruthless.

“I wouldn’t accuse them of playing boring rugby, but at times they played like that and got the result they needed.”

Stratford’s tries came courtesy of Nath Geekie, Jack Young and Andy Conway. Geekie converted all three scores.

The Black and Whites are back on the road this Saturday, where they face another promotion hopeful in Burton.