Cinderford United 31-0 Jersey Athletic
Cinderford United produced a physically committed performance to beat the second team of Championship club Jersey at Dockham Road. In doing so they avenged their defeat in Jersey back in November.
Jersey began brightly, with the wind behind them, and Cinderford saw little of the ball in the opening ten minutes but the superb tackling of the home side, with captain Alan Bryan setting an example, was already in evident and Jersey were unable to turn possession and territory into points. The fierce physicality of the home side produced many scrummages and the Cinderford front five exerted a decisive dominance. Subsequently the experienced and talented home back row began to shine and Cinderford began to play in the Jersey 22.
A quick tap penalty saw scrum half Reece Boughton shoot over for the first home try just before the first quarter ended. His conversion failed but soon afterwards Boughton’s long speculative pass was gathered by left wing Liam Littleton and he ducked under two tackles for a second unconverted try for the United. The United were now in top gear and Boughton again helped, with the aid of the dominant home scrum, set up the third try as his inside ball allowed number 8 Loti Molitika to score. Boughton converted from the touchline. With half time approaching and Jersey struggling to contain the bullish home side United flanker Marcus Brown burst through their bemused defence and his sweet pass to full back Danny Davis saw Davis score a fourth Cinderford try under the posts. Boughton converted for an emphatic United half time lead of 24-0.
The second half did not hit the heights of the first half as to their huge credit Jersey defended magnificently despite wave after wave of Cinderford attack. Eventually on the hour a fifth Cinderford try arrived as a slick backs move with some excellent passing in the increasingly damp conditions allowing Davis to score a second try. Boughton converted. Jersey continued to remain defiantly competitive for the rest of the game but the United’s awesome tackling and huge desire remained intact for the full 80 minutes with the use of their replacements helping in this respect. The win moved the United up to fourth in the Zoo London Shield.
Cinderford United;, Danny Davis, Ollie Whiting, Chris Hall, Alan Bryan (Jack Shields), Liam Littleton, Tom Law, Reece Boughton, James Brooks (Mike Davies), Rob Groves (Isiah Young), Mike Baldwin (Jack Petelo), Toby Farrier (Chris Morse), Milo Reynolds, Chris McNeil (Matt Alcock), Marcus Brown, Loti Molitika.
Ross 19-20 Cinderford Stags
The Stags edged out Ross to progress to the semi-final of the FOD Junior Cup. Cinderford played some excellent rugby in the first-half, with Isiah Young twice and Lewis Smith scoring tries. Reece Boughton kicked one conversion and early in the second-half landed a penalty to make it 20-0. However Ross came much more into the match, scoring three tries, but their recovery fell just short.