Cinderford Welcomes Old Albanian RFC
Saturday 8 November, KO 2.30pm, National 1
Happy to be back in front of a loyal home crowd, Cinderford welcomes Old Albanians to the Beavis Memorial Ground and the opportunity to capitalise on being the favourites for this tenth game in the Nat 1 campaign. Sitting just above OA the Foresters are targeting the win and much needed points to push away from the bottom zone.
“I can’t fault the guys at training and the fantastic effort from all the coaches. We simply have to replicate what we do in the week during game time and manage the pressures. Against Loughborough Students we got off to a slow start yet had over 65% possession in the first half. We are creating opportunities though but just failing to convert them,” said Neil Loader, head coach. “We need to stay calm and keep our focus and target the win. Focus on nothing else, in essence. Taking the positives from games like the Rosslyn Park one, if we stay patient the narrow margins will tip our way and our execution rate will increase.”
“We are carrying a fair few injuries at the moment but that’s where the strength and depth in the Cinderford squad comes into play. At training we have worked on our breakdown areas, top tackle and defensive structure. We come into this game as the favourites from our position just above OA in the league as well as being at home. So all stops out to bring home the much needed and deserved win.”
Team changes this week see Stef Hawley come in at 12 with Charlie Norman back at Gloucester. Lloyd Evans returns at ten with Mark Davies unavailable. Andy Uren starts at scrum half off the bench as Clive Stuart-Smith is playing a representative rugby tour overseas. Dual registered Shay Kerry returns for Milo Reynolds, and Rhys Luckwell comes into the back row for Chris McNeil who picked up a niggle. Prop Jake Caulfield returns fully fit to the bench for an injured Joe Smart and Chris Hawkins comes onto the bench for his First XV start this season from injury, with Alex Frame returning to the bench.
Cinderford United travel away to play Old Albanian 2nds at 2.30pm. The Stags are also away to Thornbury 2nds, again at 2.30pm.
Good luck to all teams.
Cinderford v Old Albanian
15 Mike Wilcox (capt)
14 Nev Codlin
13 Sam Hanks
12 Stef Hawley
11 Sam Baker
10 Lloyd Evans
9 Andy Uren
1 Alex Gordas
2 Dave Wheeler
3 Elliot Booley
4 Lance Randall
5 Shay Kerry
6 George Mills
7 Rhys Luckwell
8 George Evans
16 Jake Caulfield
17 Sam Wilkes
18 Mike Uren
19 Chris Hawkins
20 Alex Frame