Cinderford made a disappointing start to life in National 2 West with a defeat to Old Redcliffians at Scotland Lane. Whereas the visitors were dominant throughout up-front the home team possessed the superior backline, and this proved to be the difference between the teams.
The home team were quickly into the attack and scored tries though Oakley and Appleton, both of which were converted by Gapper, before Cinderford responded with a try from Luke McMahon, which he also converted. Old Reds scored another try through Taylor and then were gifted a fourth with Bryan going over, both of which were converted by Gapper. The Forest team made it 28-14 at the interval when Sam Smith went over with McMahon converting.
They got themselves right back in the game when Will Baldwin scored their third try in the early stages of the second half, but the home team upped the intensity once again with Gapper landing a penalty before converting another try from Thurston. Cinderford were left to chase the game in the closing stages and they managed to emerge with two bonus points, as Nathan Taylor was driven over before being awarded a penalty try, with the last play of the match.
Cinderford; Harry Johnson, Sam Smith, Will Baldwin, Hugo Murray, Elliot Southworth, Luke McMahon, Sam Allford, Harry Edwards, Nathan Taylor, George Perry, Tyler Jerrum (Capt.), Will Blowers, Jonny Holliday, Joe Mullis, Aaron Ryan.
Repls; George Alexander, James Elliot, Ben Carpenter, Will Korb, Harry Tovey.