Cinderford Match Report

Rosslyn Park 20 Cinderford 23

Pete Glanville believes his team's narrow victory at Rosslyn Park on Saturday will stand them in good stead as they head into a stiff pre-Christmas run.The Foresters had never won at Priory Park before, but a penalty slotted by fly-half Tristan Roberts with the last kick of the game saw them clinch a 23-20 win and climb into second spot in National League Three South.

But that position could come under threat following next week's GRFU RoadChef Senior County Cup first round clash with Cheltenham North at Dockham Road, and then a league clash with struggling Clifton.

Those two encounters will be followed by battles at third placed Canterbury (December 1), at home to leaders Mounts Bay (December 15) and a Forest derby with Lydney at Regentsholme (December 22).

"When you are near the top of the table people expect things all the time but you have to put things into perspective," said Cinderford director of rugby Glanville.

"We had never won at Rosslyn Park in the national leagues so it was a huge positive for us to come away with the victory, particularly with the run of games we have coming up.

"If someone had said before the season that we would be second at this stage I would have questioned it, but the rugby we have been playing has merited that.

"And our improved strength in depth has been a major factor.

"When we've had people out we've been able to put players in of equal calibre.

"You can't afford to stand still in this league and bringing Mark Cornwell in, both in terms of playing and coaching, has been invaluable.

"But perhaps the most encouraging thing is that we have won our last two games (beat Dings 16-13 on November 3) without him. It shows that the team is not built around him.

"We've had two or three key personnel out in the last two games but still come through.

"Rossyln Park was another one of those games that could have gone either way but we tipped the scales in our favour.

"The games we have coming up are also likely to be decided by only a few points, so it is encouraging to know we are winning those kind of games.

"In the last two weeks we have had to ground out wins, and that shows the concentration level is good."

The scores were level at 10-10 half-time at Priory Park with Jed Hooper scoring Cinderford's try from a catch and drive and Roberts posting the conversion, plus a penalty.

The Foresters' James Copsey scored two unconverted tries in the second half but a converted try and penalty from Park saw the scores locked at 20-20 until Roberts' last gasp touchline penalty.

"We had missed a few kicks earlier in the game but Tristan kept his cool to put that last one over," added Glanville.

"Realistically we should have had the game won in the first half but, to be fair, Rosslyn Park played well.

"Our mistakes let them back into it but we showed a lot of fighting spirit to get the result."