Cinderford Determined, Focused for Big Game v Loughborough Students
Saturday 20 April (KO 2.30pm)
The pressure is on as Cinderford prepares for this important game on Saturday at home to National 1 newcomers Loughborough Students. Sitting side by side in the table both sides will be fighting for the points, but director of rugby Andy Deacon believes his side are very strong and mentally prepared to achieve the win based on last week’s great first half performance at Ealing Trailfinders.
“Ealing needed just the one point to win the League and gain promotion to Championship, which they deservedly did and fair play they are a strong and successful side. But we came out and played tremendous rugby and put the fear of God in them in the first half. We pushed them all the way and answered all the questions I had posed in the preceding week. We did this even in defeat.”
“The forecast says Saturday will be a glorious day for rugby and I hope this proves to be true in every way as we welcome the Students to Cinderford. We have had a solid week in training with a focus on performance and getting the right result. I think it all starts with the performance and if you get this right then the rest falls into place behind. Pride and passion are natural emotions that cannot be manufactured. My role at Cinderford is richly rewarded by working with this great group of players who I know can be successful and proud – and make the coaches and club proud too. We will need this in bucket loads today backed by the skill, focus and application to win this very important game at all costs.”
A few changes to the side see Rob Langley back fit and returning to the back row while Luke Allen moves to the bench. Alex Frame impressed last week at Ealing and replaces an injured Danny Pointon at scrum half. Second row Ed King returns after a foot niggle and sits on the bench.
“I would also like to extend a warm welcome to managing director, Ben Reid, and his management team from one of our main and loyal sponsors, the Midcounties Cooperative and wish them a good day in the Forest of Dean entertained by our top class brand of rugby,” Deacon concluded.
In a double header, also at 2.30pm, Cinderford United play Loughborough Students 2 at the Bridge pitch, meeting back at the clubhouse post game.
Cinderford RFC v Loughborough Students
Backs
15. Mike Wilcox
14. Nev Codlin
13. Jack Adams
12. Dewi Scourfield
11. Lloyd Stapleton
10. Mark Davies
9. Alex Frame
Forwards
1. Chris Bundy
2. Tom Bozzard
3. Nick Selway
4. Ben West
5. Dale Critchley
6. Rob Langley
7. Will Foden (capt)
8. George Evans
Replacements
16. Joe Smart
17. Stu Bailey
18. Luke Allen
19. Ed King
20. Stef Hawley