Cinderford Kicks Off the New Year at Hull Ionians
Saturday 4 January 2014 (KO 2pm — National 1)

Following a two week league break, Cinderford starts the second half of the season on the road to Hull Ionians. With both teams sitting in the lower section of the table it promises to be a hard fought battle and one that Cinderford is confident of winning to break their away results performance. Despite the festivities, it was business as usual for the Forest side with intense training sessions planned in and around the holidays.

In an upbeat mood and looking forward to the challenging game on Saturday, albeit with wintery weather conditions forecast, Andy Deacon, director of rugby said: “After our impressive win against Hull when we met in September, and a good week at training around the new year, it is with renewed confidence that we step up our campaign to push further up the league table. This highly competitive league throws up all sorts of anomalies and no game is a given. It’s a tough league and we can’t ever be complacent. The game plan is to repeat our performance from our nail biter against Coventry where we played with grit and determination, and improve our away form.”

“Guys that have come into the side have earned their merit and retained their places. Competition in the squad is ever increasing with players coming back from injury and a strong United side pushing for selection each week. This is a must-win game for us and we are well prepared to be be victorious. Captain George Evans returns after injury at 8 and dual registered second rower, Tom Hicks, from Gloucester Rugby, comes in to the side at 4, for Harry Casson. Alex Pickersgill returns to the wing in place of Sam Baker, and Finlay Sinclair comes in for Lee Fortey on the bench. The rest of the side remains the same as our last game’s starting line up.”

Other team news sees Cinderford United stay at home and play Luctonians, KO is at 2.30pm. The Stags travel away to play Old Bristolians at 2.30pm.
Good luck to all #teamcindy.

Cinderford RFC v Hull Ionians RFC

Backs:
15. Mike Wilcox
14. Nev Codlin
13. Jack Adams
12. Robbie Winchle
11. Alex Pickersgill
10. Mark Davies
9. Clive Stuart-Smith

Forwards:
1. Will Davis
2. Tom Bozzard
3. Elliot Booley
4. Tom Hicks
5. Ed King
6. Adam Balding
7. Will Keenan
8. George Evans

Replacements:
16. Tom Heard
17. Finlay Sinclair
18. Roger Birkin
19. Stef Hawley
20. Reece Boughton