Cinderford Match Report

Cinderford 10 Dursley 24

The Bucks first home game of the season was played at the Bridge that looked in excellent condition.

A very well drilled Dursley team got into their stride early and capitalised on a Cinderford mistake opening the score with a converted try. Cinderford, on the attack, were awarded a penalty, which Ben Roberts duly converted into 3 points.

The Dursley pressure was relentless, Cinderford lost the ball and after some good handling by the Dursley backs, their full back crossed the line for try number 2. Score 3-12.

From the restart, Dursley ran the ball, with their prop crossing the line under the posts. Score 3-17.

Cinderford now began to apply some pressure, Jack Gardener putting in some probing kicks, with Ben Roberts and James Morse making good breaks. With Cinderford going forward and Dursley making errors, the Bucks were awarded a penalty, but could not convert it into points. The game was hard fought, with good play from both sides. However, Just before half time Dursley began to throw the ball around again, the backs combining well, which saw them cross the line and lead at half time 3-24.

After a half-time team talk, Cinderford took the game to Dursley, running the ball at every opportunity; both forwards and backs made good breaks. With scrums and lineouts going both ways, defences were working hard. The Cinderford tackling was back at its best; none more so than replacement Pete Balaz, who’s crunching tackle on the Dursley wing, brought gasps from the crowd.

Cinderford began to pile on the pressure with a lovely run by Andrew Haze who nearly made it to the corner. Cinderford applied pressure and from the scrum in the corner, James Morse popped the ball to Whackey Phillips and on to Ben Roberts. From the maul Shane Ranford moved the ball on to Ben Phelps, for Cinderford to cross the line under the post, Shane Ranford converting.

Cinderford continued to apply pressure, however it was not to be and with the full time whistle the score stood at Cinderford 10, Dursley 24.

The awards for a tough encounter went to Ben Phelps and Rob Grove.