Cinderford’s first-ever visit to Clifton Lane to meet Rotherham Titans ended in another disappointing defeat.
In gloomy conditions it was the home team who had the better of the early exchanges but Alex Dolly was off target with his penalty attempt after ten minutes. More determined approach play by the Titans saw them open the scoring soon afterwards when despite the hint of a knock-on in the build-up centre Harry Dunne forced his way over for a try, which Dolly converted. Cinderford then enjoyed a better period of play with Liam Hemming reducing the deficit with a well taken penalty and the score remained unchanged at the half-time interval.
Dolly soon increased the home team’s lead when play re-started and then they produced the best passage of play in the match to create the opportunity for Dunne to score his second try, which Dolly converted. Cinderford had plenty of possession, but their attacking options lacked any real penetration and the home side’s kicking game was far superior, allowing them to relieve any pressure near their try line.
Dolly put over his second penalty after 63 minutes to make the score 20-3 and although the visitors had slightly the better of the match territorially in the final- quarter they rarely threatened a score and Rotherham closed out the game to emerge as comfortable winners.
Cinderford; Liam Hemming, Sam Smith, Terence Babarinsa, Ed Bogue, Reuben Norville, Dan Pointon, Alex Frame, Joe Smart (Capt.), Nathan Taylor, James Elliot, George Evans, Dale Lemon, Jack Shields, Joe Mullis, Harry Hone.
Replacements; George Porter, Tim Brockett, Adam Balding, Will Keenan, Ewan Fenley.