Cinderford in a relegation battle

National League One

Cinderford 24 – Cambridge 31

IN-FORM Cambridge avenged their defeat to Cinderford earlier in the season in this incident packed match.

Cinderford contributed much to the game, but for the second week running their defence leaked more than 30 points.

They also failed to take full advantage of two Cambridge yellow cards. Toby Berridge was sin-binned on the half-hour mark, with Karl Rudzski leaving the field five minutes from time.

Cambridge scored first when powerful centre Alex Dodge broke through the midfield and off-loaded to try-scoring machine Handre Schimdt, who didn’t need a second invitation to exploit the available space. Will Martin converted.

Cinderford were soon level, thanks to an interception try by Rob Winchle, converted by Danny Trigg.

The Cambridge scrum repeatedly caved in under pressure from the home pack and a Trigg penalty put Cinderford 10-7 up at the interval.

Cambridge’s big and mobile back five created openings for the backs and a sweeping move produced a try for wing Tony Berridge, converted by Martin.

Again Cinderford bounced back, fly-half Matt James breaking through the midfield before releasing Winchle for a second score. Trigg converted from the touchline.

Martin’s penalty made it 17-17 but Cinderford had the upper hand.

In the final quarter, Cambridge rallied with some powerful play.

Gareth McComb and Dan Hunter broke through Cinderford’s tiring defence for tries, with Martin converting both to put his side 31-17 ahead.

Paul Boston squeezed in at the corner from a long Matt James pass to keep the game alive, with Trigg landing another fine conversion.

Cinderford threw everything at Cambridge in the final minutes, but the visitors’ 14-man defence was solid.

This match was preceded by a minute’s silence for Grant Taylor, who died last week.

Grant came through the Cinderford ranks and played for the club for many years. He also played for Westbury-on-Severn.

Cinderford: Danny Trigg, Rob Winchle, Paul Boston, Dave Knight, Kyle Palm (Tim Stevenson 45), Matt James, Danny Pointon (Sam Arnott, 67), Jake Meadows, Chris Hall, Andy Deacon (Shaun Knight 45), Dave Bufton, Ed King, Rob James, Marcus Brown (Dan Hall, 60), George Evans. Other rep: Lee Fortey. Attendance: 250