Cinderford lose 3-0 in Newbury

NEWBURY BLUES  3 v 0 CINDERFORD RFC

CINDERFORD prop Andy Deacon is hoping his club get a change of luck after this week’s mini-break.

A 15th minute penalty from former Dings scrum-half was all that separated these two sides – but the result lifts Newbury into the top six and leaves Cinderford precariously placed among the bottom three.

Deacon said: “We showed a lot of heart and endeavour but we just couldn’t get over the line. We dominated the scrums and line-outs but never converted our chances.

“It puts pressure on ourselves. We are working hard but we’re not getting much luck.

“We’ve got an honest bunch of guys though, and I’m sure we’ll turn it around. We need to start winning.”

Surprisingly, both sides played their best rugby into the teeth of a howling gale which blew straight down the pitch.

Newbury were indebted to Gasson whose 15th minute penalty went over via the upright.

Tempers boiled over at times and Newbury lost both Gasson and winger Martin Freeman to the sin-bin midway through the first-half.

Cinderford were still unable to break them down – even when Danny Hodge was yellow carded for lashing out, shortly after Gasson’s return.

Trailing just 3-0 at the interval, Cinderford must have thought they had a great chance of a much-needed victory with the elements in their favour, but the home side looked stronger after the break.

Cinderford created one golden try-scoring opportunity 10 minutes from time, but spurned a clear overlap by taking the ball back inside. They lost possession just short of the Newbury line.

The visitors, who also had a couple of attempts at goal blown off target, were forced to defend desperately in the closing stages in order to hold on to their losing bonus point.

Cinderford: Brett Turner, Dave Knight, Paul Boston (rep Luke Plummer 60), Dewi Scourfield, Reuben Haile, Phil Greenaway, Danny Pointon, Joe Smart, Adrian Duncan (rep Chris Hall 70), Andy Deacon (rep Lee Fortey 70), Dave Bufton, Chris Jones, Mike Panoho (rep Adam Nicholls 60), Chris McNeil, George Evans. Rep not used: Mike Wilcox.

CINDERFORD United overcame Coney Hill 24-10 in the Merit Table with tries from Olly Winterbottom (2), Lloyd Stapleton and Dan Wright. Ali Bressington kicked two conversions.

CINDERFORD Stags hammered Cheltenham North II 56-0 with tries from Mike Jelf (2), James Pritchard (2), Luke Beard, Jake Hind, Jon Jelf, Marcus Bale, Dave Green and Danny Parry. Luke Beard kicked three conversions.

North came with only 14 men so Cinderford lent them Rob Groves, Lee Hopkins and Mark Gayther.

Source: thisisgloucestershire