Cinderford edge out Redings title battle in
CINDERFORD maintained their place at the top of the table, beating off a determined challenge from third-placed Redingensians to secure a bonus point victory at the Beavis Memorial Ground.
The match was a very attritional affair played in fairly testing conditions with no quarter given by two totally committed teams, with the home side eventually getting on top with a strong second-half performance.
And Cinderford director of rugby Paul Morris was pleased with the way his players handled a difficult game against very tough opposition.
He said: “The team pulled together really well today and they did themselves proud with a strong defensive display in the first half and then taking control of the match after the interval.”
The first half saw the visitors well in control in terms of possession and territory, but it was Cinderford who opened the scoring after 14 minutes when a series of pick and goes from the forwards led to No.8 Harry Hone crossing for an unconverted try.
The remainder of the first saw plenty of pressure from Redingensians and some resolute defence from Cinderford, but their try line was eventually breached when after numerous phases the ball was moved wide to winger Connor Corrigan, who went over in the far corner.
The home side had to reorganise when scrum-half Clive Stuart-Smith went off injured, but the score remained unchanged 5-5 at half-time.
With the fog now cleared the second half began well for the home side when a hurried clearance kick was charged down and Hone
was quickly through to score his second try, which James Moffat converted.
It was Cinderford now who were dominating possession and keeping their opponents penned deep in their own half.
As the game moved into its final quarter the pressure on the visitor’s line was now relentless and when George Porter was brought to ground just short, replacement Rob Winchle gathered up the ball and burst through to score a try, which Moffat converted.
The bonus point was finally secured just a few minutes before the final whistle, when the ball went loose in the 22, Winchle kicked through and won the chase to score his second try, with Moffat again on target with the conversion to complete the scoring.
Redingensians head coach Seb Reynolds was not too disappointed though, citing his muchimproved side a major positive.
“This was always going to be a difficult game for us, but I’m pleased with the way we played and we’ve improved a lot this season. Fair play to Cinderford, they were more tactically astute than us after the break and deserved their win,” he said.