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.