The United completed their pre-season preparations with a demanding trip to Stourbridge on Saturday, taking on Level 5 opposition in a fixture that provided a valuable test ahead of the start of their league campaign.
With Stourbridge operating just one level below Cinderford’s 1st XV, United knew they would face a significant challenge. Despite the eventual 36–14 scoreline, the visitors were never outclassed and showed plenty of resilience throughout, although the strength of the home side’s set piece proved influential.
Stourbridge were first on the scoreboard, using their forward power to good effect as a driving maul from a lineout produced the opening try. The conversion followed to give the hosts a 7–0 advantage.
United responded positively and enjoyed a period of pressure of their own, coming close to scoring on a couple of occasions. However, their failure to turn those opportunities into points was punished when Stourbridge’s left wing crossed for an unconverted try to extend the home side’s lead to 12–0.
Cinderford continued to compete and their persistence was rewarded just before the interval.
Good work from the United backs created the opening and Will Day took his opportunity with aplomb, crossing under the posts for Cinderford’s first try of the afternoon. Charlie Stallard added the conversion to bring United back to within five points at the break.
Half-time: Stourbridge 12–7 Cinderford United
United made multiple changes from their 27-man squad for the second half, and the visitors soon found themselves under considerable pressure at scrum time.
Stourbridge took advantage of their dominance in the set piece and kept United pinned back for long periods. Three further tries, two of them converted, saw the home side establish a 31–7 advantage.
Despite the pressure and the growing deficit, United continued to show the resilience that has been a feature of their preparations and refused to let the contest get away from them without a response.
A sustained spell of close-range pressure and a succession of pick-and-go carries eventually brought its reward. Dave Didcote forced his way over the line for United’s second try before Matt Tinker added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 31–14.
Stourbridge had the final word, again making their forward strength count as another driving maul resulted in the final try of the afternoon and completed the scoring at 36–14.
Full-time: Stourbridge 36–14 Cinderford United
While the result went the way of the hosts, there were more positives than negatives for United from a deliberately challenging final pre-season fixture.
The afternoon provided the squad with a strong examination against higher-level opposition and valuable lessons to take into competitive action.
Manager’s Post-Match Thoughts
“Stourbridge were ideal opponents for a 27-man United squad on Saturday.
They play at Level 5, just one below our own 1st team, and it showed. It was a big test in terms of trying to match them.
Their set piece was a big influence on the game but we will be better for that. The United were nothing if not resilient and we stayed in the contest throughout but ultimately succumbed to a 36–14 loss.
However, morale remains high and selection for next Saturday’s opening league game away to Clifton Wanderers is much clearer.
There were enough good individual performances to feel confident moving forward.”