Cinderford travel to play table topping Ealing
Saturday 4 October — KO 3pm (National 1)
Upbeat after a solid win over a previously unbeaten Tynedale last weekend, Cinderford digs deep to pull out all the stops in this Saturday’s fixture against table topping Ealing Trailfinders.
Commenting on the win, Neil Loader, head coach said: “The game went pretty much to plan and we met most of our targets in securing that all-important win. We certainly had more ball and got four out of the 5 targeted tries. Poor discipline let us down a few times and towards the end of the first half we only had 13 men allowing Tynedale back in. But I was really pleased in how we came out in the second period getting three tries in just 10 minutes! We lost a little concentration at the death but defended well til the whistle.”
“We take a lot of positives that we want to repeat at Ealing. They play a quick, wide and accurate game and have a strong back line. Our advantage is that we know exactly how the surface plays as we train on a 4G pitch every week and we know how they are going to play. It will be a tough fixture but we relish this challenge in playing one of the top sides in National 1.”
Other news saw forwards coach, Saul Nelson, leave the club due to personal reasons. “We are actively recruiting and hope to bring news of Saul’s replacement imminently. I know it was a hard decision for him and we wish him and his family well.”
Changes to the side see Charlie Norman start at centre for Jack Adams who broke his nose last week. Mike Wilcox returns to full back with Stef Hawley moving to the bench. Mark Davies comes off the bench to start at ten while Henry Bird comes back into the side on the wing after impressing in United. Sam Wilkes starts at hooker on rotation with Luke Cole. Roger Birkin starts in the second row and Matt Lane is unavailable. James Brooks comes back onto the bench as does Milo Reynolds and Alex Frame.
Ealing Trailfinders 2nds are travelling in the opposite direction to the First team and come to Gloucestershire to play Cinderford United at the Beavis Memorial Ground kicking off at 2.30pm. All support welcome.
Cinderford v Ealing Trailfinders (A)
15. Mike Wilcox (c)
14. Henry Bird
13. Sam Hanks
12. Charlie Norman
11. Sam Baker
10. Mark Davies
9. Danny Pointon
1. Joe Smart
2. Sam Wilkes
3. Elliot Booley
4. Lance Randall
5. Roger Birkin
6. George Mills
7. Chris McNeil
8. George Evans
Replacements:
16. James Brooks
17. Luke Cole
18. Milo Reynolds
19. Stef Hawley
20. Alex Frame
Pictured: Charlie Norman