Luctonians narrowly beat Cinderford in their first ever league encounter with both sides battling for the win from first whistle to last. Tries from captain Ben Link and Caleb Montgomery aided the visitors to victory despite a late surge of pressure and try from Cinderford’s Nathan Taylor. However, missed conversion attempts by the home side was ultimately difference in a game of extremely fine margins.
The away side started the quicker of the two with their promising attacks seamlessly transitioning between forwards and backs. Their initial pressure was soon turned into points as a strong driving maul barged over the Cinderford line in the opening 10 minutes. Captain Ben Link appeared from the pile of bodies with the ball in hand, but fullback Jamin Hodgkins was unable to add the extras. Cinderford clawed back into the game after a few phases of attacking excitement which allowed outside-half Luke McMahon to convert a well earnt penalty to close in on the Luctonians lead. Despite their lead being threatened, the away side continued to ask questions of the Cinderford defence with controlled and sustained passages of play. Their patience was later awarded as Hodgkins slotted a simple penalty from the Cinderford 22-meter line. Despite a slightly slow start, the home side’s luck changed for the better just before the 25-minute mark. Luctonians second rower Conor Geraghty was sent to the bin after illegally disrupting a promising Cinderford attack at the ruck. Even with the one-man advantage, frustrations grew amongst the home fans as the half hour mark passed as Cinderford’s attack lacked enough pace to pierce through the 14-man Luctonians defence. The home side did score their first try just before the reintroduction of Geraghty however with outside-half McMahon looping around the back of the attacking line to finish off an impressive phase in the left corner. With McMahon unable to convert his own score, the teams were locked together at eight points apiece heading into half-time.
The away side were able to take the lead once more in the second half as blindside flanker Montgomery breached the Cinderford defensive line to score under the posts from close range. With the kick easily slotted home, the sides were separated by seven points heading into the final quarter of the game. Another strong driving maul saw Nathan Taylor power over the Luctonians line with 13 minutes left to play. However just like his first, McMahon’s kick attempt was unsuccessful which was the ultimate difference as the final whistle blew.
Cinderford; Harry Johnson, Sam Smith, Will Baldwin, Hugo Murray, Elliot Southworth, Luke McMahon, Matty Jones, Harry Edwards, Nathan Taylor, James Elliot, Tyler Jerrum (Capt.), Will Blowers, Jonny Holliday, Joe Mullis, Aaron Ryan.
Repls; George Alexander, George Perry, Ben Carpenter, Will Korb, Dan Broady, Sam Allford.