Hard-working Cinderford push Scottish

CINDERFORD 13 – 21 LONDON SCOTTISH

CINDERFORD pushed a talented London Scottish all the way, leading at half-time, before the visitors eventually clinched the game with three minutes remaining.

Scottish were piped on to the field in style but the welcome did not last long as Cinderford tore into them from the kick-off, with fly-half James Matthew missing an early penalty chance.

He made amends minutes later when his flighted kick to the wing set up attacking phases, ending with centre Paul Boston touching down.

Matthew converted but the Scottish pack was already causing the home eight problems in the set scrums and limiting quality possession.

Their fly-half, England Sevens player Simon Amor, reduced the arrears with a penalty and kicked another to touch to set up a series of attacks deep in Cinderford’s 22.

Their pack patiently worked through the phases until prop Matt Johnson burrowed over to score.

Amor’s conversion went over off a post to give Scottish the lead for the first time.

Stern defensive play, with flanker Will Foden outstanding, stopped Scottish in the their tracks and astute tactical kicking from half-backs Matthew and Danny Pointon took Cinderford up field to exert pressure which brought two fine penalty goals from Matthew, one from fully 40 metres, which gave the Foresters a 13-10 interval lead.

The muddy pitch had made the two teams hard to distinguish so Cinderford re-emerged in blue, but Scottish took the initiative.

Amor struck another penalty and then showed his class as he kept a three-quarter movement alive, appearing everywhere until replacement centre Sam Arnott crossed the line to stretch the lead to 18-13.

Scottish kept up the pressure in the final quarter with Amor adding a final penalty, spoiling Cinderford’s hopes of at least a losing bonus point.

Runs by Boston and wingers Kyle Palm and Robert Winchle gave Cinderford late hope and they were still pressing at the final whistle.

Cinderford: Steph Hawley; Robert Winchle; Paul Boston; Dewi Scourfield (E. Tito, 70); Kyle Palm; James Matthew; Danny Pointon (S. Arnott, 59); Phil Kennedy (J. Meadows, 67); Chris Hall (A. Duncan, 67); Andy Deacon; Dave Bufton; Chris Jones; Will Foden; Marcus Brown (G. Evans, 52); Mike Panaho.

London Scottish: S. Peel; C. Broughton; R. Damant (I. McInroy, 47); G. Trueman; R. Piotrowski; S. Amor; C. Grant (M. Heeks, 56); M. Johnson; T. Standfield (A. Ellis, 65), ; A. Fahey (J. Graham, 67); A. Karonias; I. Fullarton; T. Yellowlees (O. Brown, 52); B. Lonergan; W. Lipp.

Referee: Richard Davies (RFU)

Star player: For Cinderford, flanker Will Foden and for Scottish, Simon Amor.