Cinderford got their festive celebrations underway with a first-time victory over Plymouth Albion at Brickfields in truly atrocious conditions.
The incessant rain that poured down throughout the match made handling a lottery, but ultimately it was an awesome defensive display and a very assured forward performance from the visitors that enabled them to complete the ‘double’ over their opponents this season. The Forest team opened the scoring after eight minutes when outside-half James Butler landed a penalty from in front of the posts, and they soon followed that up with a converted try from No8 Harry Hone from an impeccable driving maul through the heart of the Albion 22. Much of the remainder of the first-half saw the home side pressing forward but they were unable to breach their opponents well organised defensive line and the score remained 0-10 at the interval.
The second-half followed a very similar pattern to the first when Butler was on target with his second penalty and then another perfectly executed lineout catch and drive saw hooker Nathan Taylor touching down.
With conditions worsening even further the remainder of the match saw errors abound, but both teams stuck to the task. Following a long injury break which saw Taylor stretchered off, Albion finally got the consolation score their efforts deserved when replacement Robbie Weeks scored a try in the corner with the final play of the match.
Cinderford; Ed Sheldon, Sam Smith, Will Mansfield, Jack Hayes (Capt), Ed Bogue, James Butler, James Dean, Tim Brockett, Nathan Taylor, James Elliot, Tyler Jerrum, Dale Lemon, Matt Lane, Joe Mullis, Harry Hone. Replacements; Chris Bundy, Matt Bennett, Matt Gilbert, Alex Frame, Terence Babarinsa.