Cinderford Travel to Richmond Upbeat & Confident
Saturday 5 Oct Nat 1 – KO 3pm
Taking all the positives from a tough fixture against former championship-side, Doncaster Knights, last weekend, the determined Forester head east to play their National 1 league game v Richmond Rugby this Saturday, while Cinderford United United host Richmond 2s at the Beavis Memorial Ground, Dockham Road (KO at 2.30pm).
Richmond Rugby sit at ninth position and enjoyed a win at Hull Ionians last weekend, while Cinderford moved down a couple of places to 13th.
“There is always an upside to every situation and despite the low score for us last Saturday we can draw on a number of good aspects to our play. We scrummaged well, had decent line out but need to focus on ball retention and field position,” said director of rugby Andy Deacon. “Indepth video analysis at training this week allowed us to work hard on these aspects.”
“Teams news. First we welcome prop Will Davis on loan from Bristol RFC and lock, Harry Casson, from Worcester Warriors Academy to the squad. Both feature in this week’s team sheet. Will Davis comes on to the bench in place of Tom Heard, who is temporarily called back to Gloucester Rugby due to their front row depletion. Harry Casson debuts at second row in place of the injured Tom Hicks. Tom Bozzard is still nursing a head injury and Finlay Sinclair starts as hooker. George Mills moves to 6 and Marcus Brown comes in at 7 with Will Keenan on the bench. Fully fit Brad Davies starts at 12 and Sam Hanks moves to the bench. Gloucester loan player Ryan Charles makes his first squad XV appearance as hooker. Also fully fit Lloyd Stapleton comes back on the wing with Chris Hawkins sitting on the bench.”
Other news this week sees the United side entering into the inaugural London Shield Championship, that starts this weekend.
“The new 10-team league will allow us to test our United players to the maximum. We will be going up against the second teams of Worthing, Old Albanians, Richmond, Henley, Esher, Blackheath, Jersey, Ealing and Chinnor. I am fully behind this new second-team league and it will be a big step forward for our club and squad. The United side is the ideal place for our Colts and young players to develop and then prove themselves capable of first-team action, alongside experienced men seeking either form or fitness. This new league will allow many players to show exactly what they are made of in taking on some extremely high-calibre opponents,” added Deacs.
Cinderford RFC:
Backs
15. Stef Hawley
14. Nev Codlin
13. Sam Hanks
12. Brad Davies
11. Lloyd Stapleton
10. Mike Wilcox
9. Reece Boughton
Forwards
1. Chris Bundy
2. Finlay Sinclair
3. Elliot Booley
4. Harry Casson
5. Ed King
6. George Mills
7. Marcus Brown
8. George Evans (Capt)
Replacements:
16. Ryan Charles
17. Will Davis
18. Danny Pointon
19. Chris Hawkins
20. Will Keenan