Cinderford Match Report

Cinderford 15 Chipping Sodbury 13

On a windy morning at the Bridge, Cinderford u16 took on Chipping Sodbury u16 in the county cup. In a hard fought match both sides tried to dominate a forward orientated game. Both teams tried to keep the ball in hand with pick and driving around the ruck and a number of turn over’s were made early on by Sodbury.

Carl Edwards worked hard in the second row with Ben Warren, and Chad Vanstaden cleaning up in the back row. Hard yards were made by the front row of Damo Marshall, Matt Stevens and Tyler Strange to keep the side moving forward.

The first time Cinderford moved the ball wide, through the hands of Grant Baldwin and Matt Bowles, put Ben James over in the corner. Chipping Sodbury came back well and evened the score at 5 all. Tom Davies, who had an outstanding game at scrum half, worked the ball well with Jake Mann, Ben Davis and Lee Hopkins, who set up Ben Warren for a try with a good drive.

Chipping Sodbury came back to level at half time 10 points each.

Halftime : Cinderford 15 Chipping Sodbury 13

Cinderford went behind for the first time in the game from a penalty kick, injuries to Ben Davies, Simon Reid and Nathan Green who all put their bodies on the line, did not deter the Cinderford side who camped in the Sodbury 22 meter area for the last 15 minutes.

Replacements Rob Green, Gary Huggins, John Baneham and Lewis Smith all made an impact and it was Lewis Smith who side stepped his opposite winger to score the winning try.

All of the Cinderford players put their heart and soul into the game and deserved this win, but Tom Davies in the backs and Ben Warren in the forwards truly earned their joint man of the match awards.