Fortey appointed Cinderford assistant coach

Cinderford Rugby

have appointed Old Patesians’ coach Lee Fortey as assistant to new head coach Phil Greenaway, writes Will Wood.

Greenaway was handed the reins earlier this week after former coach Mark Cornwell departed to take an increased role at Gloucester.

After helping guide Pats to fourth in South West One last season, two levels below the Foresters, former Gloucester prop Fortey is looking forward to making the step up.

“It is a little bit of a step up in terms of the level they play at, but from a personal point of view it will help me out as my development and test me a bit more and hopefully bring out the best in me,” Fortey said.

“With Mark being there for the last two years he has done a great job, so I will have to try my best to match those standards.

“I am confident in my own ability and in what I can do.”

The 34-year-old will lend his expertise to the Cinderford pack, which was often the springboard to success last season in their first outing at National Two level.

Cinderford finished fifth at the end of their first campaign in the third tier of English rugby and Fortey will do his best to improve that.

“I am quite looking forward to the challenge and I know a few of the players there as well,” he said.

“I like to think I can help with the set piece area and the forwards.

“It is all about enjoyment and developing the rugby and if we do that then it will help.”

Cinderford’s commercial manager Matt Bayliss said the club were delighted Fortey had joined them.

“We were disappointed that Mark Cornwell had to go and was promoted at Gloucester, but it is an opportunity for Lee to coach at a first division club and get experience there and he will benefit from that,” he said.

Meanwhile wing/full-back James Copsey has returned home to London after four years away and joined Esher, who welcome Cinderford in the second match of the season on September 12.

- this is gloucestershire

Greenaway handed Cinderford top job

PHIL GREENAWAY has stepped up to become head coach at Cinderford following Mark Cornwell’s departure.

But the Dockham Road club have yet to decide on who will assist Greenaway in his new role.

Greenaway was backs coach at Cinderford last season as they finished fifth in their first season of National League Two rugby.

The Dockham Road outfit sealed that sprt with a comprehensive 67-17 win over Westcome Park, running in 10 tries, before finishing their season with a win over Waterloo by the same scoreline.

Greenaway had guided the club to a bonus point victory over Mount’s Bay in April when director of rugby Pete Glanville and Cornwell were away at a wedding.

“Phil Greenaway has been promoted to head coach and we are looking for at finding an assistant for him now,” said Glanville.

“Phil is chomping at the bit and he’s really keen to take the new role on.

“It’s a massive opportunity for him to coach at National One level and he is ready for the challenge.”

The search continues for Greenaway’s assistant and Glanville said talks had already started.

He refused to discuss names until the deal was done but he was optimistic that a appointment would be made within days rather than weeks.

“We have been talking to people but until it’s been finalised we won’t be announced names,” said Glanville.

“I’d like to think that it will all be resolved and we’ll have someone in place by the end of the week though.”

Cornwell resigned from his position at Dockham Road as he could no longer commit himself to the Foresters because of increased commitments at Gloucester.

He was appointed assistant forwards coach to the Kingsholm first team and remains the rugby academy manager.

This role means Cornwell will still be responsible for sending many of Kingsholm’s rising talents down to Cinderford to gain some first-team experience.

While maintaining his other responsibilities, Cornwell is to take a more hands-on role in helping Carl Hogg with the forwards.

Cornwell will also be involved on the management side of the senior squad at Gloucester.

Cornwell has been a multiple hat-wearer since his Gloucester playing career ended.

While coaching Cinderford, he has maintained the role at Kingsholm and led Gloucestershire to the Bill Beaumont Cup final this season.

- this is Gloucestershire

Touch Rugby Summer 2010

Cornwell steps down as Cinderford head coach

MARK Cornwell has resigned from his position as head coach at Cinderford Rugby Club.

Cornwell says he can no longer commit himself to the Foresters because of increased commitments at Gloucester Rugby Club, where he is the rugby academy manager.

“These things happen,” said the former Gloucester and England second-row.

“My job at Gloucester Rugby Club has changed and that’s my priority.

“I am now assisting Carl Hogg, the Gloucester forwards coach, and need to be with Gloucester on match days.

“Cinderford will be fine, but I need to concentrate on my day job. I was spreading myself too thinly.”

As Gloucester’s academy manager, Cornwell will still be responsible for sending many of Kingsholm’s rising talents down to Dockham Road for first-team experience. He says at least half-a-dozen players will be heading to the Forest in September.

Cinderford’s director of rugby Pete Glanville confirmed the club were already talking to other coaches, but said it did not mean there would be a direct replacement for Cornwell.

Glanville said: “The club has still got myself, Phil Greenaway and Andy Deacon.

“Although Mark is stepping down as head coach we hope to involve him in a part-time consultancy role.

“He’s done a fantastic job but this is a great opportunity for him.

“As a club we would not hold back any player or coach.”

“We will still be working in partnership with Gloucester.”

- this is gloucestershire

Pointon, Bressington join Foresters

CINDERFORD have strengthened their back line ahead of the new National One campaign with the double capture of Danny Pointon and Alistair Bressington from Stourbridge, writes Will Wood.
Scrum-half Pointon returns to Gloucestershire following spells at Guinness Premiership side Northampton Saints and fellow National One team Stourbridge after originally making a name for himself at St Peter’s School.
The son of former Gloucester fly-half Dave Pointon, who is now in charge of PE at St Peter’s, captained the school in their Daily Mail Cup win in 2006.
Pointon, 20, will put pressure on Cinderford’s current number nine, captain, and top try scorer last season, former Sale Shark Paul Knight, with last year’s understudy Charlie Simpson-Daniel now on loan at Moseley from Gloucester. Pointon can also play at 10, as he did in the meeting between the two teams in March when he kicked 11 points as Cinderford won 37-31.

He has also represented England at Under-16, 18, 19 and 20 and once formed a half-back pairing with Wasps and England fly-half Danny Cipriani in 2004 for his county’s age group.

Bressington used to play first-class cricket for Gloucestershire before being released in 2004 and turning his attention to rugby union. The Kings School, Gloucester PE teacher once took a catch for England off Steve Harmison’s bowling in August 2004, when acting as 12th against the West Indies to dismiss wicketkeeper Carelton Baugh after Grahame Thrope had broken a finger. The 29-year-old now plays club cricket for Frocester. He was second top points scorer in National Two last season with 250 points. The former Newbury and Moseley player has also represented England Counties. He will compete with Danny Trigg, for the 15 shirt at Cinderford.