National League 2 West – Barnstaple RFC 34, Cinderford RFC 22
Cinderford were left frustrated after surrendering a narrow half-time lead at Pottington Road, with Barnstaple producing a clinical second-half display to secure a 34–22 victory in National League 2 West.
Having established a 12–10 advantage at the interval, Cinderford were unable to maintain their early momentum as the home side took control of proceedings, leaving Director of Rugby Clive Stuart-Smith to describe the contest as a missed opportunity.
Cinderford made an encouraging start, with centre Kyle Harris crossing for the opening try after eight minutes.
Barnstaple responded in the 13th minute through full-back Henry Sellick, who levelled the scores with an unconverted try.
The visitors regained the initiative eight minutes later when number eight Reilly Scriven crossed for Cinderford’s second try. Winfield successfully converted to restore a seven-point advantage.
Barnstaple, however, remained firmly in contention, reducing the deficit through another unconverted try in the 26th minute.
With Cinderford’s forwards, including captain Tyler Jerrum, Reeve Brighty and Scriven, working to establish a platform, the visitors entered the interval holding a slender 12–10 lead.
Barnstaple Take Charge
The second half proved decisive, with Barnstaple quickly turning the contest in their favour.
Cinderford introduced Ben Carpenter in place of Jerrum shortly after the restart, but the home side struck in the 48th minute when number eight Brandon Moore crossed to give Barnstaple their first lead of the afternoon.
Just four minutes later, winger Cameron Johnson added another try as the hosts began to build momentum.
Cinderford responded by turning to their replacements, introducing Jake Polledri for Callum Thompson, James Elliott for prop Alex Bosworth and George Chandler for Matt Cotton. Halen King subsequently replaced Sean Gardner.
Despite the changes, Barnstaple continued to make the most of their attacking opportunities.
Hooker Albert Stretch crossed in the 56th minute, with Sellick adding the conversion to extend the hosts’ advantage.
Barnstaple’s control of the contest was further underlined in the 72nd minute when scrum-half Stan Kift added another try, converted by replacement Benjamin Saunders.
With the game moving away from them, Cinderford continued to search for a response.
Harris, who had opened the scoring, claimed his second try in the 74th minute.
Barnstaple were then reduced to 14 players when centre Ryan Lee received a yellow card in the 78th minute.
Cinderford took advantage of the additional space, with scrum-half Josh Horrobin crossing in the 79th minute to register the visitors’ fourth try of the afternoon.
The conversion was unsuccessful, leaving Barnstaple to complete a 34–22 victory.
Stuart-Smith Reflects on Missed Opportunity
Cinderford Director of Rugby Clive Stuart-Smith made no attempt to disguise his disappointment following the final whistle.
“The overriding feeling across the group is one of frustration. We had a clear plan of attack, and while we were rewarded in segments, we just didn’t deliver enough of it.
“We had a clear understanding of what Barnstaple were going to do and, ultimately, they executed their game far better than we did.
“We will look back on this game as a missed opportunity, but it also shows us that if we don’t play the game our way, we will be second best.”
His assessment reflected an afternoon in which Cinderford showed attacking promise but were unable to sustain the level of performance required to overcome a Barnstaple side that made better use of its opportunities.
For the visitors, Harris’s two tries and the contributions of Scriven and Horrobin provided some positives, but the second-half scoring sequence ultimately proved costly.
Cinderford will now look to address those shortcomings as they prepare for their next National League 2 West fixture, with greater consistency and execution likely to be central to their preparations.
Half-time: Barnstaple 10–12 Cinderford
Full-time: Barnstaple 34–22 Cinderford
Cinderford scorers: Kyle Harris (2 tries), Reilly Scriven (try), Josh Horrobin (try), Joe Winfield (conversion).