Cinderford’s squad: Josh Haddock, Matt Cook, Ben James, Finlay Poultney, Toby Powell, Conor Gresty, Frazer Montague, Morgan Peates, Ollie Moore, Jack Guy (Cap’t), Ethan Brookes, Luke Marrott, Jack Robbins, Will Baldwin, Cam Davis, Ryan Owen.
Cinderford travelled to North Bristol having previously played them at home in September.
Due to holidays, injuries and unavailability, Cinderford travelled with a squad of only 16 players.
Cinderford dominated the early play and were camped in the opposition half for much of the early exchanges and were rewarded with a penalty kick by Jack Guy to give Cinderford an early 3 point advantage.
Mid way through the first half, Cinderfords full back, Cam Davis took a kick to the jaw and had to be replaced by Ryan Owen. Cam went to A & E but thankfully, there was no break. Cam wanted to carry on, but sense prevailed. A quick re-shuffle saw Ethan go to full-back.
North Bristol then came on strong and scored 2 tries and a conversion to lead at half time by 12 – 3. Cinderford were unlucky to be trailing at the break having had the lions share of possession.
A quick start to the 2nd half saw Cinderford score 4 tries in a blistering 10 minute spell, with the tries coming from Ben James, Conor Gresty, Jack Guy and Will Baldwin. Jack Guy added 2 conversions to give Cinderford a well deserved lead of 27 – 12. With no replacements left, all 15 of Cinderford’s players gave 100% but a strong final 10 minutes from North Bristol saw them score 3 late tries and 2 conversions to see them prevail by a close margin of 31 – 27. This was a very hard fought game and Cnderford were so unlucky to come out on the losing side. The saying “Fergie time” was to the fore and to say the final score came in the 7th minute of “Fergie time” was no exaggeration!
Cinderford can take great pride from this performance and there was no disgrace in this narrow defeat.
Special thanks to parents of all the players for their great support at the match.