Foresters clinch confidence booster

CINDERFORD completed their preparations for the new season with an excellent victory over newly-promoted Championship side Birmingham and Solihull.

After defeats to Pontypool and Pontypridd in their previous pre-season matches, Cinderford were looking for an improved performance before Saturday’s opening National League match against Launceston, and they certainly produced it.

The Dockham Road side dominated the opening exchanges against a home side which included former Lydney scrum-half Jimmy Williams.

They took a well deserved lead when number eight George Evans forced his way over the line for an unconverted try from a five-metre scrum.

Birmingham quickly hit back when Williams combined with county outside-half Mark Woodrow and he raced through to score a try which he also converted.

Then right on the half-time whistle, with Cinderford’s Chris McNeil in the sinbin, the home side made the extra man count when Toby Freeman touched down for an unconverted try.

Early in the second half, Birmingham increased their lead to 19-5 when Will Lawson finished off a free-flowing move with a try near the posts which Woodrow converted.

At this stage of the match Cinderford were in danger of slipping to another disappointing defeat, but they responded in fine style when winger Andy Nicholls touched down for an unconverted try in a corner.

With both sides taking the opportunity to make changes, Cinderford set up a chance of victory when flanker Adam Nicholls intercepted a floated pass and raced through unopposed for a try which Mike Wilcox converted.

The Forest side had the better of the closing stages and when they were awarded a penalty Wilcox calmly slotted it over to give them a well deserved victory with the last kick of the game.

We will reap the benefits – Fortey

CINDERFORD coach Lee Fortey says their tough pre-season schedule will stand them in good stead for the new National One campaign.

The Foresters begin their assault on the league next Saturday at home to Launceston but have one more friendly against Birmingham and Solihull tomorrow at Sharmans Cross Road.

“If you play against lower league opposition then I do not think the players get as much out of it,” Fortey said.

“Whereas if it is a bit tighter then players can think on their feet and they have to make the right decisions.”

So far Cinderford have lost both of their warm ups for the new season after going down to Welsh Premier sides Pontypool 33-26 and 38-12 to Pontypridd last Saturday.

However, Fortey says there were plenty of positives to take out of those clashes.

He said: “If you look at the standard of the opposition so far they are both in the Welsh Premiership.

“If you look at a lot of their scores it has come from our mistakes, so we just need to concentrate on our attack play.”

But the clash against the champions from Cinderford’s division last year will provide Fortey and new head coach Phil Greenaway the perfect chance to decide the starting 15.

“It is going to be a tough test. It will give us a good indication of whereabouts we are at the moment,” he said.

“We have got to treat it as a league game really. It is going to be a good test of character because they were one of the best teams in our division last year.

“It should be as close as we are going to get to our first league game.”

Fortey joined Cinderford after two years at Old Patesians and he says he is settling in well along with the other coaches, Greenaway, Pete Glanville and Andy Deacon.

“I am getting to know everyone’s names and really enjoying it and am just looking forward to the start of the season to test myself and my coaching abilities,” Fortey said.

“It is good working with some of the old boys and we are all singing from the same hymn sheet.”

Pontypridd prove too strong for Foresters

WELSH Premier outfit Pontypridd were too strong for Cinderford as the Foresters lost their second consecutive pre-season trial game at Dockham Road.

Ponty, who finished fifth last year in their division which is effectively a level above, were ruthless on the counter attack running in six tries to Cinderford’s two.

The Cinderford pack looked strong and camped on their opponents’ try-line on a few occasions but a 33-0 half-time deficit was always going to be too much.

Youngster Mike Wilcox continued to pull the strings from stand off and his fantastic break set up George Evans but his rampaging charge fell short after three minutes.

Cinderford were awarded a penalty which new singing Danny Pointon took quickly and fed Phil Kennedy but he too was denied an early chance to score.

Another new signing, Ali Bressington, chipped ahead of Ponty’s defence five minutes later and nearly touched down but the Welsh defenders got their first.

Ponty had played a pre-season game more than Cinderford and looked fresher and took the lead on 11 minutes with a swift handling move from a scrum on halfway which was converted.

Cinderford’s rolling maul then tested Ponty on their own line three minutes later but again came up short.

With a quarter of the game gone Ponty got their second score with numbers out wide for an easy touchdown but the conversion missed.

Seven minutes later Ponty had their third try from another swift counter attack following a Cinderford lost line-out with two more points added making it 19-0.

The fourth try came five minutes before the break after a sweeping handling move from one side of the pitch to the other with the conversion on target.

On half-time more slick passing produced their firth score with the kick added for a 33-point advantage.

However, new back row Dan Hall went over for Cinderford on the hour after lots of pressure on Ponty’s line but Pointon missed the conversion.

Nigel Matthews got the Foresters’ second try in similar fashion with two minutes left and Pointon added two more but Ponty had the last word with their sixth try in added time.

CINDERFORD: A Bressington; J Carter, B Turner, D Scourfield, R Haile; M Wilcox, D Pointon; P Kennedy, B Saville, S Knight; D Buffton, C Jones; R Jenkins, C McNeil, G Evans.

PONTYPRIDD: M Nuthall; L Williams, G Dacey, D Lockyer, C Clayton; D Gunter, R Downes; J Williams, R Williams, P Palmer; C Martenko, C Dicomidis; K Dacey, D Waters, N Strong.

Cinderford suffer reverse to Welsh raiders

CINDERFORD lost their first pre-season trial friendly at home to Welsh Premier League side Pontypool after being well tested ahead of the new National One campaign.

The match was split into four 20-minute periods to give the entire squad a chance to impress, but head coach Phil Greenaway was at Twickenham with Gloucester for the Middlesex Sevens.

The game was lost in the second period when the Foresters’ Welsh opponents ran in three unanswered tries, but Cinderford nearly snatched it at the end with a late surge.

Pontypool opened the scoring after just six minutes when they had numbers out wide in Cinderford’s 22 and their right winger touched down in a corner, but the conversation was missed.

Nearly 10 minutes later the scores were level when Cinderford’s pack rumbled over the line after winning a five-metre line-out and lock Chris Jones emerged with the ball.

With minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Dockham Road crowd thought their team had taken the lead when Chris McNeil barraged over the line following some great hands from halfway.

But the referee said he was held up and blew for the end of the first 20 minutes.

Following a host of changes Pontypool then scored three converted tries to stretch away to 26-5 at half-time.

With seven minutes of the third period gone Cinderford began their comeback when second row Danny Wright threw a dummy and stretched out an arm to score.

New signing from Stourbridge Ali Bressington landed a great conversion from out wide to make it 26-12.

But Pontypool slammed the door shut with their most decisive converted try just two minutes later which ultimately won them the game.

The home team then scored two tries in the fourth quarter to go within a converted score of drawing.

Wilcox showed a flash of brilliance when he cut through the Pontypool defence before offloading to Brett Turner to crash over, giving his young stand off an easy conversion.

Jake Carter rounded things off from a scrum in Pontypool’s 22 with Wilcox adding another two points.

Source: thisisgloucestershire

New boys set to face Pontypool

CINDERFORD return to rugby action at Dockham Road this Saturday with an opening trial game against Pontypool (3pm).

There have been plenty of comings and goings during the summer months, with Rob James, Rob Fidler, Mark Cornwell, Andy Macrae, James Copsey, Jed Hooper, Neil Bayliss, Mike Hart, Freddie Burns and Toby Wilson all leaving the club for various reasons.

The Foresters won’t be short of numbers, however, with a string of new talents coming in to bolster the ranks.

Dings Crusaders duo Mike Panaho and Dave Bufton were training with the club on Tuesday night and look likely to sign.

Bufton is a second-row, while former Dings skipper Panaho is a number eight. Both are experienced county players.

Ex-Lydney lock Dave Bennett has developed into a decent performer with Leicester Lions over the past couple of seasons. Now, the St Briavels-based forward is also heading for Cinderford.

Another second-row, Ed King, has joined the Foresters from Stourbridge. Hooker Ben Saville played club rugby in France last season, but now he’s back to compete for the number two shirt with Nigel Matthews and Chris Hall. The latter has decided to stay after considering his options, but needs an operation on his hand.

Prop Chris Kutts has joined from Hartpury College, while another new prop looking sharp in pre-season training is Joseph Smart.

Forwards coach Lee Fortey has also confirmed his intention to make himself available on the field if needed. The back-row will be further strengthened by the arrival of ex-Waterloo man Danny Hall and Gloucester academy student Richard Jenkins.

Among the backs, Alistair Bressington and Danny Pointon have joined from Stourbridge – and Pointon could get a run at fly-half. Tim Stevenson is currently returning to fitness following a shoulder operation.

Other new additions in the back line include Army centre Tyson Wainoqola and former Dings, Cleve and Bridgwater man Ollie Mansbridge.

Cinderford have done extensive work on their fitness and changing rooms during the summer, with more developments set to follow.

Forwards coach Lee Fortey said: “I’m still finding my feet a bit, but I’m really enjoying it.

“Replacing Mark Cornwell and Rob Fidler won’t be easy but the forwards have done their first session as a unit and it’s all looking quite promising.”

Greenaway: It’s natural for players to move on

HEAD coach Phil Greenaway insists new players will be brought in to replace those who have left Dockham Road during the summer months.

The Foresters will probably have to do without at least a dozen players from last year’s squad.

Rob James, Mike Hart and Toby Wilson retired at the end of last season, while Neil Bayliss, Jed Hooper, James Copsey, Freddie Burns, Mark Cornwell and Rob Fidler have all subsequently moved on.

Andy Macrae and Chris Hall look set for new challenges, while Chris Bundy is currently travelling.

Danny Pointon, Ali Bressington and forwards coach Lee Fortey have joined the club.

“Rugby’s not an old man’s game so it’s natural for some to move on. We’ve got a lot of good young lads here and a strong second-team. I’m not overly-concerned, I think we used 46 players last season.”

Gloucester Academy player Danny Wright is still available to Cinderford this season, while Chris Jones could certainly get more opportunities in the second-row.

Teenagers Reuben Hale, Sam Arnott and Mike Wilcox were blooded at the end of last season, while Gloucester academy back-row Richard Jenkins is another who looks bound for Dockham Road this season.

Cinderford’s first trial game is at home to Pontypool on Saturday August 15 (3pm).

Source: this is gloucestershire

Fidler leaving Cinderford for Old Pats

FORMER England and Gloucester lock Rob Fidler has quit Cinderford for Old Patesians.

Fidler, 34, has accepted a player/coach role at Everest Road.

Ironically, he is set to fill the shoes of outgoing Old Pats forwards coach Lee Fortey, who has joined Cinderford.

Fidler told The Forester: “Old Pats is only five minutes from my house. They phoned me up and offered me the job and it’s a good career move. Before that, I was looking forward to starting the season with Cinderford.

“I’ve got a lot on at work at the moment and a young family so at this stage of my life I’ve got to factor everything else in.

“I’ve spoken to the guys at Cinderford and hopefully the door’s still open for me to come back in the future. I need to go away and get some coaching experience under my belt.

“Last year we exceeded all expectations and I’d like to think I passed on a bit of wisdom to help those coming through.

“The level Cinderford play at should not be dismissed lightly. It’s a fiercely contested league.”

Cheltenham-born Fidler played more than 250 games for Gloucester in nine years at Kingsholm, winning two England caps on the 1998 tour to Australia and New Zealand.

He joined Bath in 2003, but had to undergo knee reconstruction surgery.

Injuries weren’t a problem last year, however, with the big second-row missing only a handful of games.

He said: “Obviously, Cinderford are losing some experience with both myself and Mark Cornwell leaving, but there are some good young players coming through. When one door closes another one opens.

“You need a good mix of players at their level, but they’ll always attract a good standard of player.”

Source: this is gloucestershire

Cinderford skipper not worried about newcomer

CINDERFORD captain Paul Knight says he is not worried about his place in the team after the signing of fellow scrum-half Danny Pointon.

The 20-year-old arrives at Dockham Road having captained St Peter’s to Daily Mail Cup success in 2006 and played for Northampton Saints and Stourbridge, as well as representing England at Under-16, 18, 19 and 20 level.

But Knight, who himself has played for Sale Sharks and was the Foresters’ top try-scorer last season, said the extra competition was good for the team and his own game.

“It is good to have a bit of competition. It will get the best out of me,” the former Birmingham and Solihull skipper said.

“Players are always champing at the bit to play and I know if I have a bad game then Danny Pointon is waiting in the wings, so it will help me play better.”

His good performances also earned him a place in the England Counties team as well, adding yet further games to an already gruelling schedule in National Two.

But with Pointon now on board, it gives new head coach Phil Greenaway the chance to rotate both his nines after Knight chalked up more than 30 games last season.

“It will help me as well because it means I can have a rest and be a bit fresher for when I next play,” said Knight.

“Last year I played something like 30-odd games in a row and you do get a bit tired, so it means I will play better.”

The skipper also says the signing of Pointon’s Stourbridge team-mate, Ali Bressington, will benefit the team.

“Ali Bressington is a goal kicker as well so it helps us out if we have a guy with a kicking ratio of 78 per cent,” Knight said.

“We lost games last year on missing kicks, so hopefully it will help.

“It is good to strengthen up the squad and they have strengthened the squad in the right places.”

source: this is gloucesterhire