Cinderford V Taunton

Just three minutes on the clock and Connor Banks has darted over for Taunton to open the points scoring at Dockham Road.  Frankie Dart converts and Taunton have 7-points in the bag.  Just three minutes later and Cinderford are level when an overlap was created for their wing Hendy to score the first of his two for the afternoon.  The scores now level and Cinderford started to use the wind to their advantage and put Taunton under pressure.  Hendy went in fort his second try which was not converted and Cinderford were in front.  The ever-reliable Charlie Wright then used his power and pace to level the scores.  Frankie almost pulled off the conversion but the wind was the winner on this occasion.  The increased pressure from Cinderford and their ploy to win penalties, which they did pinned Taunton back in their own half.  Taunton were much better organised at resisting the Cinderford Catch and drive from the kicks to touch but in so doing left a gap behind to create an overlap for the Cinderford left wing to go in for a try which was converted.  Just five minutes later and after a series of penalties conceded by Taunton and another catch and drive by Cinderford saw Hooker Nathan Taylor go in for the try giving Cinderford a two try cushion.  Whilst Cinderford then maintained their possession in the Taunton half from the few forays Taunton did make into the Cinderford half they were repelled.  With just two minutes left of the half Cinderford used the wind to kick out of defence which Noah Fenton fielded just outside his twenty-two. After making ground he fed inside to “Toots” and then with one of his classic jinking runs “Toots” was able to pass back to Noah who knows how to finish and score.  With the halftime whistle Taunton were just one score behind.

With the wind behind Taunton there was a lot of optimism for the seven supporters who made the journey which was rewarded just 5 minutes into the half when the outstanding Charlie Wright went in for his second try of the afternoon.  Frankie kicked the conversion and the scores were level.  Taunton were now pressing the Cinderford line on a regular basis and the home team were resisting and clearing their line.  There was a12-minute period when Taunton had all of the possession and territory but could not break down the Cinderford defence.  Cinderford were giving away penalties and so Taunton decided to go for goal.  The wind won the day again.  The Taunton centres were breaking the first line of defence regularly but there always seemed to be a second and third line of defence.  However, a try must come and it did on 64 minutes when Diago Bailey went in for his first try of the afternoon close to the posts. Taunton continued to press but it was Cinderford who were able to level the scores when their centre skipped through two tackles to score under the posts.  The conversion put Cinderford back in front.  10-minutes left and Taunton pressed the Cinderford line Oscar Stewart mad a good run got half tackled but seemingly not held as he gambolled forward and was up again to be pulled down just short of the line.  Taunton pressed again but the referee blew for a penalty deeming that Oscar was held and did not release the ball before his gambol.  The kick to touch by Cinderford gave them another catch and drive which was deemed to have been collapsed by Taunton and as such a penalty try was given and a yellow card.  Just five minutes left and Taunton down to 14 men.  So, they attacked but with one short in the pack Cinderford managed to thwart their efforts and held on to their win.

The Cinderford President who presented the man of the match award summed it up when he said it was fine margins and he was grateful his team got out of jail.