Cinderford Confident at Coventry
Saturday 24 January (National 1 — KO 3:30pm)

The new year started with disappointment against Darlington, then triumph at Tynedale and elation versus table topping Ealing Trailfinders that saw Cinderford climb out of the drop zone. This weekend the Foresters head for number two club Coventry who won away at Wharfedale 17-13 last Saturday.

On form and on the ascendancy with four wins from six games, Cinderford not only won last weekend’s game they won the respect of their loyal fans and supporters in the clubhouse and from others in the wider league.

Said Nic Corrigan, director of rugby & coaching: “At training we reviewed our impressive performance against Ealing in-depth and focused on how to apply that to playing Coventry. The guys absorbed the win and elation but now it’s about achieving consistency and consolidating our form to secure our National 1 safety. Our challenge is to remain focused and deliver top flight rugby for the remaining 11 games.”

“Defy the impossible and shock the world! That’s a little bit like life at Cinderford right now.”

A few tweaks to the side see DR prop Jack Cosgrove make his First XV start at loose head. Sam Wilkes starts at hooker with Luke Cole on the bench on rotation. Sam Underhill comes off the bench and starts in the back row while Marcus Brown moves to the bench. At scrum half Clive Stuart-Smith is rested with Alex Frame starting and Danny Pointon on the bench. Stef Hawley moves from 11 to 14 with Sam Baker coming back into the side for a rested Nev Codlin. Elliot Booley comes back onto the bench for Chris Bundy, and Jack Adams also returns.

Good luck also to the Stags who are away at Hereford 2nds and the Bucks who travel to play Old Cents 3rds. Kicks offs are at 2:30pm.

Cinderford V Coventry (A)

15. Mike Wilcox
14. Sam Baker
13. Sam Hanks
12. Leo Fielding
11. Stef Hawley
10. James Moffat
9. Alex Frame

1. Jack Cosgrove
2. Sam Wilkes
3. Jake Caulfield
4. Roger Birkin
5. Ed King
6. George Mills
7. Sam Underhill
8. Dan Fry

Replacements:
16. Elliot Booley
17. Luke Cole
18. Marcus Brown
19. Jack Adams
20. Danny Pointon

Pictured: Cinderford v Ealing TF – Sam Hanks