Cinderford Match Report

Gordon League 7 Cinderford Stags 25

Cinderford Stags scored three tries to one in beating Gordon League II at Hempsted Lane. This was a Gloucester Merit Table Division 1 match and the Stags remain in top place.

With a slightly depleted side due to a sickness bug, the Stags backfilled with a number of young players who had been playing fourth team rugby.

Kicking off with the wind, the Stags dominated possession and territory in the first quarter but the Gordon League defence stood firm. League looked strong in the backs, however, with the Stags back row, Jake Hinds, Jonny Jelf and Andy Boxall chasing down everything, any ball won had to be cleared by their outside half to touch.

The score remained nil-nil, until the twenty-minute mark, when from inside the League twenty-two, quick ball won by the forwards was spun left through the Stags backs for Lee Clark to cross in the corner for the first try of the game. Hooker Mike Baldwin converted. A mistake by the Stags forwards from the kick off led to Gordon Leagues score. The League forwards won their lineout ball and drove over for a converted try. With ten minutes of the half remaining and following more pressure from the Stags forwards, prop Mark Bluett broke from a maul to race fifteen metres to the League line and scored the second Stags try. Baldwin converted again. Half-time score 14 points to 7.

Half Time : Gordon League 7 Cinderford Stags 14

The second half started with Gordon League gaining a lot of territory and this time the Stags defence remained resolute with the Stags back row again prominent. Two forays into the League half by the Stags resulted in two penalties for Gordon League infringements. Mike Baldwin converted both.

With the Stags defence gaining stature, Gordon League tired, and with ten minutes to go, prop Mark Bluett broke from a maul some forty metres out and raced to the line for a fine individual try, beating several of the League backs for pace. Full time score 25 points to seven.

This was probably the Stags best win of the season, with a solid five, the back row were dominant and the backs defence remained solid throughout.

Team: J. Gardner, R. Davis, S. Robbins, J. Rowles, L. Clark, B. Roberts, D. Parry, M. Bluett, M. Baldwin, J. Hopkins, D. Kear, S. Davis, J. Hinds, J. Jelf, A. Boxall. Replacements: I. Taylor, B. Phelps, S. Harris