Coventry Rugby v Cinderford match preview.

This Saturday 22nd December Coventry Rugby return home to face Cinderford here at the Butts Park Arena kick off 3 pm, in what is the return fixture from earlier in the season.

Cinderford or the Foresters as they are known were founded in 1888 and under experienced Rugby Director Andy Deacon, Head Coach David Pointon and Forwards Coach Lee Fortey are currently in 7th position. Last season they finished in 8th place their highest position in four seasons with 14 wins and 16 losses.

Cinderford made a bright start to the season being unbeaten in their first 4 games, and firmly ensconced in the top four. However since then their results have been somewhat mixed which has dropped them out of the top four. Their record so far shows 6 wins 2 draws and 7 losses compared to Coventry’s 6 wins 1 draw and 8 losses.

Who can remember the way they came from behind to beat Coventry Rugby in a hard fought battle, 36-31 in the 2^nd game of the season. Since then they have had notable victories over Blackheath and Blackheath. A very creditable away draw with 2^nd placed Rosslyn Park as well as a 1 point defeat at home to leaders Ealing Tfs, confirm that the Foresters are no easy team to defeat. Last week Cinderford managed to give up a 17-0 half time lead to lose narrowly to Loughborough Students.

It is fair to say that Cinderford like Coventry have somewhat struggled on their away trips and Coventry v Cinderford have gone to home advantage for the past three seasons.

Cinderford have somewhat moved away from just being a forward orientated teams with fire power in the backs with speedy wingers Nev Codlin and Lloyd Stapleton now on 8 tries, Jack Adams centre from Moseley and Mike Wilcox fullback from Bristol. Despite points machine Rory Teague moving to Blackheath, a suitable replacement Mike Davies as No 10 and goal kicker has come in from Bristol and is currently 8^th in the list of the league’s point scorers.

Cinderford still have an abrasive and strong pack but have more of an all-round game so can be dangerous both close to and from distance as Coventry found to their cost in September. Lock Will McKee and flanker Will Foden can be prominent.

The Foresters still maintain close ties with their Premiership neighbours Gloucester Rugby and have a number of dual registered players involved.   

This really is a key game for Coventry Rugby as they need to put on a winning run and fight clear of the danger zone with Sedgley Park now only 10 points behind Coventry in 13^th place.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

18^th December 2012