Cinderford fail to take their chances

CINDERFORD RFC 21 – 25 STOURBRIDGE

FULL REPORT COMING SOONA LOSING bonus point was scant consolation for Cinderford as they simply made too many basic errors at Dockham Road.

Defences dominated in the opening quarter – until teenage winger Reuben Haile cut inside to bulldoze his way over for his eighth try of the season on 25 minutes.

Danny Pointon, playing against his former club, added the conversion.

Stourbridge responded strongly and camped on Cinderford’s line during the last five minutes of the first-half.

Chris Jones was yellow carded for a technical offence as the Foresters buckled under the pressure.

With Stourbridge raising the tempo, Cinderford winger Rob Winchle intercepted a stray pass in his own 22 and sprinted 80 metres to score against the run of play.

However, Pointon missed the conversion from in front of the posts.

Stourbridge fly-half Jon Higgins clawed back a penalty just before the break.

Cinderford made the worst possible start to the second-half when Stourbridge scrum-half Tom Richardson collected the ball and ghosted down the blindside to score, virtually unopposed.

Higgins pulled his side to within two points with the conversion.

Pointon and Higgins traded penalties, but Stourbridge tied the scores at 18-18 with their second try.

Cinderford stole a line-out against the throw, 5m from their own try-line, but no-one claimed the bouncing ball and Stourbridge hooker Ben Gerry dived through to touch down.

Pointon nudged his side ahead with his third penalty on 64 minutes, but Stourbridge full-back Craig Richards broke home hearts with his side’s third try on 72 minutes. Higgins knocked over the conversion.

Cinderford had chances to snatch victory in the closing stages but the visitors defended resolutely and were worthy winners.

Cinderford: Ali Bressington (rep Dave Knight 56), Rob Winchle, Luke Plummer, Dewi Scourfield, Reuben Haile, Danny Pointon, Sam Arnott (rep Paul Boston 70), Phil Kennedy, Nigel Matthews (rep Adrian Duncan 49), Andy Deacon (rep Joe Smart 70), Dave Bufton, Chris Jones, Will Foden, Chris McNeil (rep Mike Panoho 66), George Evans (capt). Attendance: 265

CINDERFORD United beat Cleve United 18-12 in the Merit Table with tries from Stefan Hawley and Lloyd Stapleton. Mike Wilcox kicked two penalties and a conversion. Shane Ranford and Ed King excelled for Cinderford.