Llandovery 19-26 Cinderford
Cinderford began their preparations for the new season with an excellent victory at Llandovery, the first time they have beaten the Welsh Premiership outfit on their Church Bank ground.
Travelling with a squad of 26 the early stages of the match looked a little ominous for the Forest team as the home side made all the early running, with Emyr Price scoring two tries and Ryan Williams kicking a conversion to give the Drovers a 12-0 lead in the opening ten minutes. The visitors started their recovery when a strong run by centre Dan Spencer-Tonks created the space for winger Sam Smith to go over for a try, which James Butler converted. Then Terence Babarinsa spun out of a tackle and crossed for a try, which Butler converted to put Cinderford ahead. As half-time approached a sustained spell of pressure near the opposition line eventually led to Matt Lane scoring, with Butler again converting to give his team a 21-12 lead at the interval.
Both sides rang the changes as the second-half got underway and it was the home side who brought themselves right back into the contest when Tom Evans scored their third try, which Jack Maynard converted. The Cinderford forwards continued to put the home pack under pressure as the game went into its closing stages and Jack Hayes touched down to complete the scoring.
Cinderford Squad; Ed Sheldon, Sam Smith, Terence Babarinsa, Dan Spencer-Tonks, Ed Bogue, James Butler, James Dean, Joe Smart, Sam Baker, Tim Brockett, Tyler Jerrum, Dale Lemon, Matt Lane, Jack Shields, Harry Hone, Will Baldwin, Jack Hayes, Stefan Hawley, Alex Frame, George Porter, Joe Mullis, James Elliot, Jonny Holliday, Lewis Beer, Will Korb, Matt Bennett.