Cinderford completed their preparations for the forthcoming National One season with a victory over a useful Hinckley team who gave them a much tougher workout than the score line would suggest.
The visitors dominated in the early stages but were unable to breakdown a resolute home defence. The Foresters eventually worked their way downfield and after being held up over the line a couple of times, prop George Porter opened the scoring with an unconverted try. Good hands out wide then created the space for full-back Ed Sheldon to outpace the cover defence for Cinderford’s second try on the half hour. With half-time approaching the home side went further ahead when winger Sam Smith finished off a good passage of play, with James Butler landing the conversion.
The second-half saw Cinderford quickly stretching their lead through Joe Mullis, which Butler converted and he then added the extras to another try from Terence Babarinsa to make it 31-0 after 55 minutes of play. Hinckley finally got some reward for the efforts when winger Joe Wilson went over for a well deserved try, but it was Cinderford who had the final say when more good work from Mullis created the chance for Will Mansfield to score their sixth try, which was converted by Stefan Hawley.
Cinderford; Ed Sheldon, Sam Smith, Terence Babarinsa, Jack Hayes, Ed Bogue, James Butler, Jimmy Williams, George Porter, Nathan Taylor, Tim Brockett, Tyler Jerrum, Dale Lemon, Matthew Gilbert, Jack Shields, Harry Hone. Replacements; Joe Smart, James Elliot, Ryan Charles, George Evans, Joe Mullis, James Dean, Will Mansfield, Stefan Hawley.
Cinderford United 14-17 Hinckley 2nds
The United narrowly lost out to their Hinckley counterparts with winger Timi Olopade showing good pace to score both of their tries which were converted by Dan Pointon.