Cinderford United lifted the Forest of Dean Combination Senior Cup with a thrilling victory over Drybrook at a sun drenched Dockham Road.
In truth it was the visitors who played most of the more enterprising rugby throughout, but at the end it was the sheer dogged determination of the home side that saw them through. Tom Treherne put Drybrook ahead with a penalty, before he converted a well taken try by winger Dan Price. The United responded with a try from Terence Babarinsa, but Treherne landed his second penalty to give Drybook a 13-5 advantage at the interval.
Cinderford reduced the deficit ten minutes into the second half when Sam Baker scored from a lineout catch and drive. The home side had to defend their line from a sustained spell of pressure from their opponents before they worked their way up field and created the opportunity for Babarinsa to score his second try. Drybrook through everything into attack in the closing stages, but they were unable to breakthrough a well organised and committed home defence and a knock-on brought the game to its conclusion.
Cinderford’s Will Korb was named Man of the match.
Cinderford United; Stef Hawley, Will Baldwin, Jack O’Connell, Terence Babarinsa, Ben Mcilwraith, Dan Pointon, Dan Nicholls, Dino Dallavalle, Sam Baker, Tim Brockett, Aaron Ryan, Toby Powell, Tom Bozzard, Will Korb, Will Keenan.
Replacements; Dewi Wilcox, Roger Birkin, Jack Shields, Lloyd Stapleton.