Cinderford Bucks travelled the short distance to Berry Hill on Saturday to take on the Wappers, boyant from last week’s fine result against Stow. From the first whistle it was plain to see that this was going to be an old fashioned Forest game of rugby and so it proved. This was all about containing the Wappers forward play and the Bucks got drawn into the Wappers game plan, With the Bucks trying to run the ball at every turn in tricky conditions. On the 10th minute the forwards gained possession in their own 22 and spun the ball wide to Lee Clark who raced passed 3 defenders to score the Bucks first try, converted by Simon Baldwin. It stayed that way for the rest of the first half with both sets of forwards working hard to gain possession, with uncontested scrums throughout. Half time score 7 nil to the Bucks.
The second half started where the first left off with both sets of forwards scrapping for every inch of ground. That said the Bucks were still trying to spin the ball whenever they got the chance and were rewarded with a further try from center Lee Clark which went unconverted. The Bucks now had some daylight between them and the Wappers. The Bucks forwards were working tirelessly and forced the Wappers into making mistakes and midway through the second half no 8 James Taylor intercepted a pass just inside the Wappers half to race in under the posts to score. Converted by Simon Baldwin.
The Wappers however were not finished and through their very strong forward play edged up to the Bucks try line but had it not been for some fantastic defence would surely have gone over to score. The ball was eventually cleared into touch and the final whistle blew. Both sides new they had been through a really tough physical battle with the Bucks taking the spoils.
Tries – Lee Clark (2) James Taylor, Conversions – Simon Baldwin (2)
B Bradley, D Phelps, J Morgan, A Davis, S Davis (S Hudson) J Reeks, R Davis, J Taylor, D Nicholls, M Ridler, J Worgan, L Clark, C Marsh, W Phillips, S Baldwin (J Rowles)