Following two weeks without being able to find any suitable opposition, Cinderford were keen to get back on the horse after their controversial 95th minute defeat in the previous round of the county cup.
Cinderford welcomed Cleve in the final first round pool game, a team who had given them a tough match in the previous year’s competition. Cinderford knew that they needed a convincing win to keep their cup hopes alive.
For the first time in a number of months Cinderford had virtually a full squad to choose from, which included full back Alastair, available for the first time this season.
From the start Cinderford looked like a team on a mission, determined to take out the frustration of the previous game on their unfortunate opposition.. The Cinderford forwards were simply immense, time and again they went route one and made huge holes in the Cleve defence.
Before many minutes had passed the tries started to come, firstly through the big ball carrying forward and then with some swift hands through the backs..
Cleve tried to hang in there, but really had no answer to Cinderford’s powerful driving play. Half time came up with Cinderford leading 27- 0, having run in five tries.
Cinderford kept up the assault in the second-half, starving the Cleve team of any worthwhile possession and keeping them penned in their own half for large periods of time. In fact during the whole match Cleve had virtually no possession inside the Cinderford 22.
Cinderford ran in a further six tries in the second half.
Cleve were not a bad side, but on this form few teams could live with Cinderford’s skill and power.
Final Score: Cinderford 65 Cleve 0