Last season’s Western Counties North champions Cinderford United began their new campaign with a hard-earned victory over Midsomer Norton.
Both sides exchanged penalties in the opening quarter, with Joe Langbridge on target for the home team. United prop Harry Edwards showed good skills to create the opportunity for Tom Samak to score to score his team’s opening try, which Langbridge converted to make it 10-3 at half-time.
The visitors reduced the deficit soon after the re-start with a penalty, but the United responded with a try for hooker Sam Baker from a driving maul, which Langbridge converted. James Kear was next to score for Cinderford after some excellent team approach play and the bonus point try was scored by Sam Alford, with Louis Jayne prominent in the build-up, both of which were converted by Langbridge. Midsomer Norton scored a well-deserved consolation try in the closing stages.
Cinderford United; Jimmy Williams, Toby Devlin, Dan Nicholls (C), Tom Samak, Will Anderson, Joe Langbridge, Sam Alford, Harry Edwards, Sam Baker, Mattie Cotton, Ed Lawson, Jonny Holliday, Harvey Dickenson, Louis Jayne, James Kear. Repls; Joe Smart, Wolfgang Cross, Dan Kibble.