Cinderford Match Report

OLD RICHIANS 9 CINDERFORD BUCKS 11

For the second time this season, the bucks went to Old Richians. The game started well with good pressure from the forwards. From the first scrum of the match, Andy Haze picked up and gained 30 metres, just falling short of the try line. From a maul, close in on the Richians line, Joe Halusak powered over to score his first ever try.

Cinderford continued to press on, but good defence by Richians and breaks by Richians fly half, Austen Garlick, saw the game flow from end to end. During this period of play Cinderford edged forward with a Ben Roberts penalty, making the score 0-8 at half time.

OLD RICHIANS 0 CINDERFORD BUCKS 8

The second half began with Richians on the offence and the stags half asleep. From errors in play and lack of discipline by both sets of players, penalties were being awarded to both sides evenly. Austen Garlick brought the score to 3-8, a few minutes later slotting another penalty. With the game now more evenly poised it was Ben Roberts’s turn to slot a penalty and gain a 6-11 lead.

At this point Cinderford woke up, going forward with a Pete Balaz run. Play was held up at times, with niggling injuries to both sides. After a run by Joe Halusak, Cinderford again showed indiscipline and the resulting Austen Garlick penalty brought them almost level.

Richians now went forward with a vengeance and Cinderford hearts were in their mouths, when a deft kick over the top saw the ball not only cross the try line, but the dead ball line to, before a Richians player could touch it down.

The Bucks and Richians carried on with the end-to-end rugby and when the final whistle was blown, the Bucks came out victors 9-11. Man of the match was Andrew Haze, who had an outstanding game in the forwards.