CINDERFORD RFC UPBEAT & READY FOR LLANDOVERY FRIENDLY

Saturday 11 August KO 3pm, Dockham Road

With sport on everyone’s mind right now as the Olympics draws to a close, Cinderford RFC kicks off its pre-season fixture programme this Saturday August 11th with a home game v long standing opponents Llandovery RFC, at 3pm. All are welcome to come and meet the new faces and support the team; gate entry is only £2. The game will be played in three sessions of 30 minutes giving all new and old faces game time. The team then plays an evening game against Old Centralians (KO 7.30pm) on Wednesday 15 August, again at the Beavis Memorial Ground.

Looking forward to an even tougher and more competitive league, Cinderford is building on strength and adding to its experienced pool of talented players who found tremendous form and cohesion last season and finished in 8th position, with the second best defensive record in the league. In an upbeat mood, director of rugby, Andy Deacon, has confirmed that new players from Premiership and Championship levels have joined bringing much experience to the squad and with a hunger for success in National 1.

Having bolstered its pre-season training with fitness testing and analysis sessions in partnership with Gloucestershire University at their state-of-the art student facilities, Cinderford RFC (CRFC) is upbeat about its readiness for its fifth season in SSE National 1 League. Cinderford full back and fitness expert Pete Towers, worked alongside the club’s coaches to put the players through the mill in a rigorous training programme ready for their challenging first league game away to Cambridge on 1st September, followed by the first home fixture on September 8th against Coventry.

Forwards: James Brooks, Leigh Green, Nico Woodward, Pat Benson, Joe Smart, Nick Selway, Ben West, Rich Mountford, Ed King, Dale Critchley, Luke Allen, Joe Garner, Will Foden, Kyle Frowen, Dave McKee, Ben Sparks.

Backs: Sam Arnott, Jack O’Connell, Mark Davies, Mike Wilcox, Lloyd Stapleton, Sam Caven, Sheldon Stevens, Dewi Scourfield, Jack Adams, Kai Done, Nev Codlin, Josh Hannam, Danny Trigg, Pete Towers.

Squad members absent due to injury: Adam Nicholls, Stuart Bailey, George Evans, Jake Kitson, and Danny Pointon. Also unavailable for selection is Tom Bozzard and Robbie Winchle. <new signings in bold>

Said Andy Deacon, Cinderford’s director of rugby: “Cinderford had a great season last year and we have shown that we can compete at the highest levels within the league. By extending the strength and depth of the squad we are equipped to start the new season where we left off and continue our success.”

Saturday August 18 sees the next home friendly against Bridgend RFC culminating in a double-header local derby on Saturday August 25 at 1pm v Old Patesians followed by a 3pm game v Hartpury College.