Three Games to Go, and Cinderford Away to Old Albanians.
Saturday 19 April KO 3pm (National 1)
This Easter weekend Cinderford and Old Albanians feature as the only game in National 1, in a hugely anticipated fixture and a vital match for the Foresters. Focused on putting in a winning performance following recent good form away, the team is confident of achieving the points required.
Said Andy Deacon, director of rugby looking back at last weekends nailbiting home encounter: “It was a disappointing result against Esher and letting a bonus-point slip at the death was the most frustrating thing. We really tried to start well, we worked hard to get in front and we played some good stuff. They are a top four side and were always going to come back but we still had opportunities. But at the end we coughed the ball up and went under the sticks to take away another point. That was just as sickening, if not more, than us losing.”
“The boys are disappointed with what happened but we have three games left and we can pull ourselves away from it. It is still all to do. The chances to do it are starting to run out but we just have to make sure we maintain our levels of performance. All we can do is make sure the guys train well and maintain their form and discipline right until the end without cutting any corners. Henley have to win their next game to have any chance of staying up so the pressure really is on everyone and it will go right down to the wire.”
“As I keep saying it is still very much in our own hands and if we pick up seven points from our remaining three matches, what anyone else does, doesn’t matter. We could potentially pick up five points at home against Wharfedale and certainly take something against Old Albanians. We appreciate it will be very tough against Rosslyn Park, who will be going for the title but the challenge there will be to score four tries and you never know what will happen. Essentially seven points from three games is very achievable.”
“We go away to Old Albanians this weekend with nothing to lose and everything to gain. If we get something there it will set us up nicely. They are a very solid national one side but not as good a side as they were two or three years ago but nonetheless they are very dangerous, especially at home.”
Changes to the team this week see Nev Codlin start on the wing with Andy Bulumakau moving to the bench. Lance Randall comes back in for an injured Tom Hicks. Joe Smart comes back into the side on the bench.
Cinderford v Old Albanians
Backs:
15. Stef Hawley
14. Nev Codlin
13. Jack Adams
12. Robbie Winchle
11. Sam Baker
10. Mike Wilcox
9. Danny Pointon
Forwards:
1. Will Davis
2. Tom Bozzard
3. Elliot Booley
4. Ed King
5. Lance Randall
6. Roger Birkin
7. Will Keenan
8. Adam Balding (capt)
Replacements:
16. Tom Heard
17. Joe Smart
18. George Mills
19. Clive Stuart-Smith
20. Andy Bulumakau