Loughborough 17 – Cinderford 38
Cinderford 1st XV arrived at Loughborough with determination, eager to build on last week’s win against Redruth. From the opening whistle, Cinderford set about imposing their game plan, demonstrating a blend of patience, tactical intelligence, and physicality. The first try came relatively early, Mattie Cotton finding a gap in the defensive line and bursting through to touch down beneath the posts. Sonny Greenman’s conversion was flawless, giving Cinderford an early 7–0 lead, a statement of intent that the visiting side would maintain throughout the afternoon.
Loughborough responded quickly, probing the Cinderford defence and creating pressure in midfield. Their persistence paid off with a try of their own, bringing the score to 5–7, a moment that briefly threatened to shift momentum. Yet Cinderford remained composed. The forwards continued to carry strongly, drawing defenders and creating space for the backs, and Sam Smith soon capitalized, going over in his usual twinkle toes fashion to extend the lead to 12–5. The interplay between structured phases and intelligent support play allowed Cinderford to dictate the tempo, forcing Loughborough to chase the game.
James Elliot added to the tally with a perfectly timed run, exploiting a gap left by the home side’s defensive realignment, pushing the score to 17–5. Cotton then scored his second try, finishing off a patient build-up from the forwards, with Greenman’s boot adding the extra points, taking Cinderford to 24–5 by half-time. The visitors had clearly controlled the game through territory, possession, and composure, yet they knew that Loughborough’s structured approach meant the match was far from over.
The second half opened with Loughborough attempting to wrestle momentum back. They managed to score early, narrowing the deficit to 10–24, and then added another try to make it 17–24, reigniting their hopes. Despite this resurgence, Cinderford’s defence remained disciplined, organized, and suffocating, absorbing pressure and frustrating the home side at every opportunity. Every tackle, every defensive alignment, and every breakdown contest reflected a team well-drilled and focused.
As the game progressed, the Foresters regained control through sustained, intelligent phases of play. Dave Samak found a gap and burst through to ground the ball, extending the lead to 31–17. Later, Reilly Scriven finished a sweeping move, sealing the final try of the game and bringing the scoreline to 38–17. Greenman’s accurate kicking ensured all opportunities were maximized, reflecting both individual composure and team discipline.
While the scoreboard highlighted the try scorers—Cotton (2), Sam Smith, James Elliot, Dave Samak, and Reilly Scriven—it was the collective performance that truly defined the victory. The forwards established a dominant platform, winning collisions and securing quick ball, while the backs exploited space intelligently, timing runs perfectly and supporting one another. The defensive line was both structured and suffocating, repeatedly frustrating Loughborough’s attempts to build pressure or regain momentum.
Head Coach Clive praised the team’s performance, emphasizing the balance between structure and individual expression. “A really composed performance against a very well-structured Loughborough team,” he said. “Most pleasing was how we backed up last week’s solid performance against Redruth on both sides of the ball. In challenging conditions, we delivered in attack across the board and this allowed individuals to express themselves and shine within our system. Defensively we knew what was coming and worked really hard within our units to suffocate them. It was a really enjoyable afternoon.”
The tactical execution throughout the match was exemplary. Cinderford’s forwards consistently provided clean ball and maintained pressure at the breakdown, while the backs combined width, timing, and creativity to exploit gaps. The defensive structure prevented sustained attacks, and the kicking game was measured and effective, managing territory and scoreboard pressure. Each phase, each tackle, and each decision reflected a team executing a clear plan with intelligence, discipline, and composure.
By the final whistle, Cinderford had secured a decisive away victory, running in six tries and controlling the match across both halves. The combination of tactical awareness, physical dominance, and mental fortitude ensured the Foresters’ success, while individual moments of brilliance punctuated a cohesive, disciplined, and highly effective team performance. Fans and players alike celebrated a performance that demonstrated skill, structure, and resilience—a benchmark display that would give confidence and momentum as the season progressed.
Final Score: Loughborough 17 – Cinderford 38
Try Scorers: Mattie Cotton (2), Sam Smith, James Elliot, Dave Samak, Reilly Scriven
Conversions: Sonny Greenman (4)
The victory was more than a statement on the scoreboard; it reflected a squad growing in identity, cohesion, and confidence. Every unit contributed, from the forwards securing the platform, to the backs executing with precision, to the defence suffocating the opposition. The result left Cinderford with momentum, belief, and a clear demonstration of what this 1st XV can achieve when operating at its peak.