Manchester suffer another drubbing

Cinderford RFC 73 – 0 Manchester RFC

AILING Manchester suffered another heavy defeat in this one-sided affair at Dockham Road.

Manchester have now conceded more than 1,600 points in 18 matches, scoring just 65.
Click here for more

Cinderford ran in 11 tries in total to climb out of the bottom three.

Captain Paul Knight and Kiwi fly-half Matt James crossed for tries in the opening five minutes.

Both scores were converted by full-back Brett Turner.

Cinderford were awarded a penalty-try when the visitors collapsed a scrum as they were being driven over their own line. Turner added the extras.

Knight went over for his second touchdown to make it 26-0 inside 25 minutes.

Cinderford’s livewire scrum-half completed his hat-trick before half-time, with Will Foden and Olly Winterbottom also going over. Three more Turner conversions made it 47-0 at the interval.

Matt James scored Cinderford’s eighth try early in the second period. The former Neath player completed a hat-trick on his home debut by intercepting a pass and sprinting in from 70m. Turner converted both tries.

Replacement hooker Adrian Duncan was next to score for the hosts and a century of points looked on the cards. However, the final half-hour became disjointed with both sides suffering injuries and ringing the changes.

Cinderford managed just one further score from winger Winterbottom.

Brett Turner kicked his ninth conversion in a match that was little more than a training exercise.

Cinderford: Brett Turner, Rob Winchle, Dave Knight, Dewi Scourfield, Olly Winterbottom, Matt James, Paul Knight (capt, rep Danny Pointon 40), Phil Kennedy, Chris Hall (rep Adrian Duncan 40), Andy Deacon (rep Lee Fortey 40), Dave Bufton, Chris Jones, Will Foden (rep Phil Greenaway 63), Chris McNeil, Mike Panaho (rep George Evans 51).

Cinderford players must earn their shirts

CINDERFORD skipper Paul Knight says the players must earn their shirts more than ever now thanks to the healthy competition for places at the club.

At fly-half alone new signing, New Zealander Matty James, must fight it out with Tim Stevenson who is now back from his summer shoulder surgery.

While Knight has to battle Danny Pointon for the nine jersey, another new man, Nevaro Codlin, will fight it out for one of the spots on the wing.

“Tim Stephenson played for the second team last week on his way back and he kicked all his goals,” Knight said.

“Danny Trigg is back as well and with Nev Codlin there too we have got five or six players fighting for each position.

“It is going to get people playing better and it is a good thing for the club because they have to earn the shirt.

“We have got Tim and Matt for fly-half then there is Danny and me for scum-half which makes me have to play better as well.”

The Foresters welcome National Two whipping boys Manchester to Dockham Road this week looking to repeat their 93-3 drubbing at Grove Park earlier in the season.

The Lancashire outfit, who were relegated from the old National One last season, have lost every match so far this season and average conceding 90 points a game.

But Knight knows the players must not underestimate their opponents because they ran fifth placed Wharfedale pretty close two weeks ago when they lost 45-23.

“Wharfedale struggled a little bit against them the week before and I do not know if that was because they had five weeks off or because Manchester had recruited you do not know but on paper we can not take them lightly,” Knight added.

“It is always a big boost to your confidence that you put 93 points on someone but it will not be an easy game.”

Unfortunately Adam Nicholls is a doubt for this weekend but James should get a start with the standard of the opposition and Knight says it will take time for him to bed in.

“He came on for the last 20 minutes last week and he looked a bit nervous but he is just getting to know the calls and he has been training for the last five weeks so it will be a good game for him to start,” Knight said.

Source:thisisgloucestershire

Cinderford U 14s 12 V Cleve U 14s 3

Playing at Heywood school the Forest boys were up against tough opposition from Bristol . The opening exchanges were even with Cinderford shading the scrums with the front row of Rhys Hopkins , Tony Turley and Nathan Morgan scrummaging well, allowing a good platform for no 8 Jack Shields to make good ground , however the ball was turned over and the opportunity was lost ,Cleves back line looked dangerous whenever they moved the ball wide but some inaccurate passing often saw the ball spilled and the chance squandered. They  soon managed a to gain some good ground and with Cinderford penalised for handling on the floor Cleve kicked the penalty. The Foresters rallied and  good passage of play saw Cinderford awarded a penalty , with  3 points on offer from a simple penalty a rush of blood saw the ball quickly moved wide , a loose pass bounced on the floor AJ Jenkins kneed the ball forward the fullback then showed good pace to score a good but fortunate try ,prop Nathan Morgan concerted .

 

The second half started with Cleve putting together some good passages of play and Cinderford found themselves under the cosh ,only great defence kept the Bristol boys out with Matt Allcock , Robson Skipsey ,Tony and Lee Turley to the fore . The Cleve team were camped on the Cinderford line and a good pick and drive by Jordan Hopwood secured some good ground,  at the ruck Cleve were penalised and Charlie Davis cleared the line .. A good take in the lineout saw fly half Turley make a great break off loading to Allcock who sprinted clear to score a cracking try  Cleve stormed back and laid siege to the Cinderford line , again great defence held them out with all players making tackles as the whistle sounded to end the game,

 

 

U14’s

Tony Turley , Nathan Morgan , Rhys Hopkins Andrew Johnson, Harry Johnson, Jack Shields  , Matt Allcock, Andrew Hoult, Sam Jackson ,Charlie Davis  ,Mitch Skelton, Guy Pearson, Zac Miles , Robson Skipsey,  William Kemp ,Lee Turley  , Caine Harris ,Dan Pearson ,Sam Jackson , AJ Jenkins,Jordan Hopwood .

Cinderford’s chances goes begging

WHARFEDALE 37 CINDERFORD 17

CINDERFORD let a half-time lead slip as the home side fought back thanks to a virtuoso performance from Mark Bedworth.

The Foresters went into the break with a 12-10 advantage after full-back Brett Turner slotted four penalties, with Turner and Latu Maka’afi touching down for Wharfedale.

At the start of the second Cinderford were put under pressure by the home side, who went 22-12 in front through three penalties by Bedworth.

Cinderford refused to give up, however, and stayed in touch when Dan Wright went over for a try, to make it 22-17.
Click here for more

Bedworth kicked a 40m drop goal and Luke Gray pushed them further clear with a try.

Bedworth capped a fine display with a try which he converted.

Source:thisisgloucestershire

Foresters better prepared for second half

CINDERFORD are preparing themselves for a far stronger second half of the campaign in National One after an eventful first part.

The Foresters have had to adjust to injuries and a host of players leaving in the summer resulting in them losing their first five games of the new campaign.

With players coming back to fitness, some new signings on board and the young team all settled in, coach Lee Fortey is predicting a strong showing in 2010.

“It is all coming together now,” he said. “Players are coming back, the numbers at training are good and competition for places is good.

“We spoke about it on Tuesday night at training that we got a bit of form before Christmas and we now need to take that through.”

The Dockham Road outfit travel to fifth place Wharfedale tomorrow with the memory of their last meeting still fresh in their minds.

When the teams met in the Forest of Dean in the fifth game of the season, the Yorkshire side snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a last kick of the game penalty.

Combine that frustrating result with Cinderford not playing since December 12 because of Christmas and the freezing weather and Fortey says the players are desperate to play some rugby.

“The boys are champing at the bit to get out there,” he added.

“I remember that game quite well and I think that is one thing the players remember as well.

“We were in that game and we threw it away so we will not be short of motivation because we can just refer to that game.

“When we gave away those two penalties you can blame the ref but we still gave them away so some of those close games we have learned from.”

Two players who were not involved in that game were fly-half Tim Stevenson and new signing New Zealander utility back Matty James.

Stevenson has been out since the summer after undergoing shoulder surgery but played his first game for the Stags last week.

While James arrives with experience of the Air New Zealand Cup and the Welsh Premiership under this belt.

Bressington on loan to Stourbridge

CINDERFORD travel north to Wharfedale this week desperate for some real action.

The Foresters tried to fix up a friendly with Cheltenham at short notice once last Saturday’s league game at home to Blaydon was called off.

However, Cheltenham were unable to get the game on.

Cinderford are due to travel to Yorkshire on Friday, but they’ll be keeping one eye on the weather.

Forwards coach Lee Fortey said: “We’ve been training regularly at Hartpury College and most of the boys do their own stuff too, so fitness shouldn’t be an issue. However, there’s no substitute for matches.
Click here for more

“We’re looking to get some continuity back and all of the boys are desperate for a game.

“We lost at home to Wharfedale to the last kick of the game but we’ll have some new faces that they haven’t seen and we’ll play more of a running game. It could be tight.”

* CINDERFORD full-back Alistair Bressington has rejoined his former club Stourbridge on loan.

Source: thisisgloucestershire

Stag Stevo put up on the chair

CINDERFORD Stags won a fierce contest with Cheltenham United by 14-11.

Tim Stevenson (pictured) played his first game of the season for Cinderford and also made his Stags debut.

His tactical kicking proved the difference between the two teams.

Cheltenham edged things in the scrums, but the Stags dominated the line-outs with some accurate throwing from hooker Rob Groves.

Nathan Green scored a try in each half with Stevenson converting both.
Click here for more

Green’s second try came from a clever Stevenson kick. He beat the opposing full-back to race in from 40-yards.

The Foresters used a squad of 20 players with captain Jon Jelf man of the match.

First-team player Stevenson declined to drink a pint of beer while stood on a chair, the traditional welcome to all new players. Instead, he drank water.

Despite that, team manager Steve Jelf said: “Tim fitted well into the team. I hope he’s available for selection next week.”

Source: thisisgloucestershire

Wright and Knight picked for England

CINDERFORD pair Danny Wright and Shaun Knight have both been named in the England under-20s elite player squad for this season’s major tournaments.

Second-row Wright and prop Knight will be joined by another ex-Cinderford player, Freddie Burns, who is now featuring for Gloucester’s first XV.

England’s opening RBS Six Nations game against Wales takes place in Gloucester on February 5.

Matty James on his Cinderford move

CINDERFORD have made one of their biggest ever signings by bringing New Zealander Matty James to Dockham Road.

Utility back James, 23, comes to Cinderford from Air New Zealand Cup side Tasman Makos – where he played alongside All Blacks Ben Franks, Chris Jack and Ali Williams. He previously played for another Air Cup side, Manawatu, for three years.

The Air Cup is New Zealand’s top club competition and around half of the Tasman team currently play for the Crusaders in the Super 14s.

Last year, James also spent seven months with top Welsh Premiership club Neath, where he ousted Welsh international Arwel Thomas from the number 10 shirt.

His last game for Neath was at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, helping the Welsh All Blacks beat Llanelli 27-21 in the Welsh Swalec Cup final.

The young Kiwi, who was brought up in New Plymouth, Taranaki, will play for Cinderford for the rest of the season.

He is currently staying in Littledean.

He told The Forester: “When I left New Zealand it was 22 degrees.

“I knew what to expect, but I arrived in flip-flops and shorts.”

The only rugby currently being played in New Zealand is Super 14s and sevens, so James, as a professional player, has come to the Forest to gain more experience in British conditions.

He said: “I’m looking forward to getting started.

“My grandfather was born here so I’m actually qualified to play for England. My father played 24 games for Taranaki as a number 12, despite weighing only 78 kilos.

“He played against Wales when they toured in 1988.

“My brother has also just returned home after a spell with Biggar in the Scottish Second Division.”

James says he learned a lot alongside Arwel Thomas at Neath, particularly when it came to tactical kicking.

He said: “Arwel must be 34 or 35 although he looks 15.

“He says he is going to retire every year, but he just keeps going.

“Playing at the Millennium Stadium is every Welshman’s dream, the roof was open and it was an awesome experience.

“So were the semi-finals at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, where we beat Swansea.

“It was a double header with both semi-finals on the same day.

“It was so noisy you couldn’t even hear the calls.”

Source:thisisgloucestershire

Foresters snap up experienced Kiwi

CINDERFORD have pulled off a major signing by attracting the experienced New Zealander Matty James to Dockham Road.

The capture of the 23-year-old utility back is surely one of the biggest in the Foresters’ history and will help aid their National One relegation battle.

James arrives in the Forest of Dean from Air New Zealand Cup outfit Tasman Makos, where he has been playing alongside All Black internationals Ben Franks, Chris Jack and Ali Williams.

James, who is qualified to play for England after his grandfather was born here, is staying in Littledean and has played for another Air Cup side, Manawatu, for three years.

The Air Cup is New Zealand’s top club competition and around half of the Tasman team play for the Crusaders in the Super 14s.
Click here for more

James spent seven months with Welsh Premiership club Neath last year, where he ousted Welsh international Arwel Thomas from the 10 shirt.

His last game for Neath was at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, helping the Welsh All Blacks beat Llanelli 27-21 in the Welsh Swalec Cup final.

The young Kiwi, who was brought up in New Plymouth, Taranaki, is not the first from his family to play rugby at a high level.

His father played 24 times for Taranaki as a number 12 and faced Wales when they toured in 1988.

His brother has returned from a spell with Biggar in the Scottish Second Division.

James looks most likely to slot in at outside-half where Cinderford have been short of experience all season.

Last year’s 10, Tim Stevenson, has been out since the summer after undergoing shoulder surgery but is close to returning.

Head coach Phil Greenaway had impressed at stand-off before a serious rib and lung injury sustained in the 3-0 defeat at Newbury Blues on November 14 ended his year.

The Foresters also have youngsters Danny Pointon and Mike Wilcox in their ranks.

Source:thisisgloucestershire

Next Page »