Cinderford Match Report

Cinderford 36 Chosen Hill FP 7

Following last minute match cancellations by their scheduled opposition in recent weeks, Cinderford U14s turned out for what was only their second match of the season on Sunday. Playing at The Bridge, the visitors on this occasion were Chosen Hill. Playing up the slope, Cinderford got off to a flying start, putting Chosen under pressure from the kick off and dominating the first half through superior handling and speed across the backline.



Chance Ridler smashed through the Chosen defence to open the scoring in the third minute and, just over a minute later, Cinderford ran the restart ball straight back at Chosen and this time it was Tom Ward who broke through, scoring under the posts. Both opening tries were converted by Jack Hopkins to make it 14-0 with five minutes gone.

Shortly afterwards, Cinderford fullback Adam Wilce, having collected a Chosen Hill kick ahead, raced up the right touchline before kicking over the top and chasing through to secure the ball on the ground for Matt Hawkins in support to snap up and pass infield to Sam Baker. The ball was worked quickly across field via the halfback pairing of Rhys Gardner and Jack Hopkins and out to Tom Ward on the left wing who powered for the corner. Ward was hauled down just five meters short of the try line but offloaded skilfully infield to Jack Hopkins, who crashed over for a try to complete an excellent passage of play.



Ward and Hopkins combined again for the next score, when Hopkins chipped skilfully ahead for Ward to collect on the bounce and charge deep into the opposition 22 before again offloading superbly in the tackle, this time to Chance Ridler, who raced in under the posts for a converted try, taking the score to 26-0 with fifteen minutes played. At this point Cinderford were in total control and looking to open up a significant first half lead but, some error strewn passages of play by both sides stifled the scoring until just before half time.

Cinderford 26 Chosen Hill FP 0

When Chosen Hill again kicked high and long for territory, Nathan Francis caught the ball safely and stepped through the first two tackle attempts before passing infield to Luke Kell who jinked his way through the centre of the park from just inside his own half before breaking through a gap and racing away to score under the posts to give Cinderford a comfortable 31-0 half time lead.



In the second half Cinderfords game plan went to pot. Scenting a cricket score and the chance of glory, individuals went AWOL from their normal playing positions and duties, particularly in the contact areas up front. As a result, Cinderford needlessly put themselves under pressure, losing their shape and momentum and allowing the sizeable Chosen Hill forwards to get their side back into the game with a strong second half performance that lifted their spirits



With five minutes to go Chosen went desperately close to scoring, but infringed at a ruck when within inches of the try line. From the following tap penalty, Cinderfords standout player, Tom Ward, weaved his way through the Chosen Hill line before powering around the outside of the covering defence and cutting back infield to score under the posts from all of 80yards. Shortly afterwards, a breathtaking run from deep inside his own half by Cinderford's Nathan Francis was ended by a superb last-ditch tap tackle by the Chosen Hill fullback just 15meters short of the line, to deny a certain score.



With four minutes remaining, and the result beyond doubt, Chosen Hill got a deserved consolation try for their second half efforts, when a solid passage of play saw them crash through under the posts for a converted try. Despite the poor second half showing by Cinderford, this was the still home sides day and the match closed out a comfortable 36-7 win to the Foresters.