Stags Hunted Down By Wanderers

Centre Mike Cross scored 2 tries in their win over Cinderford Stags as the Wanderers marched on undefeated in the GRFU Reserve Premier League.

The Clifton side boarded the bus to the Forest eager to make amends on two counts. Firstly for their heavy defeat two seasons ago at the hands of well drilled Stags XV and secondly for failing to make the journey last season.

Cinderford, bolstered by a small number of their United XV side opted to host the game on their Dockham Road main pitch which some might say played into the hands of a strong Wanderers side that included a returns from injury for second row Ben Purcell, hooker Mike O’Rielly and centre Tom Milne.

Clifton, under no illusions about the task that lay ahead launched themselves out of the blocks at a furious pace, pressing the Cinderford backline into kicking possession away which swiftly allowed winger Reuben Caven an opportunity to counter attack. Caven carved his way through a wall of red and gold shirts with little resistance and touched down between the posts allowing fly-half Luke Blizzard an easy conversion.

The hosts were stunned just 2mins later when Clifton turned over ball in the centre of the park allowing dynamic prop Ben Christie a chance to break free and feed outside centre Cross for his first score.

A decisive miss at goal in the eight minute by the Stags fly-half only compounded the home side’s failure to get a foothold.

Still reeling from Clifton’s opening barrage Cinderford attempted to try and take a grasp of what possession they had, but a pressurised attack bore no fruit and only resulted in handling errors for Clifton to capitalise on.

Dominating the scrum Clifton built upon their platform and after some excellent footwork it was Blizzard himself who breezed pass his opposite number and outpace the Stags full-back to score.

Blizzard again converted the extras to take the Bristol side into a commanding 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Stags down, but not out finally worked their way into the Clifton 22 after a period of ill-discipline which finally allowed their forwards to launch a volley of sustained pick and go attacks at the Clifton line.

Holding firm, the visitors repelled the initial assault, but again the penalty count ticked against them and this time the home side, accompanied by the Referee’s threat to go to his pocket for yellow card, battered the lavender line repeatedly until they finally found a gap to score just before half time.

After the break Clifton, un-phased by the Cinderford’s resurgence in the second quarter, again began the more threatening side. Penetrating deep into the Cinderford half the penalty count swung the other way and Blizzard was offered a valuable opportunity to seize three points and take his seasons total to over 150.

Cinderford refused to go quietly into the night and again threatened through their robust back row. Clifton again repulsed attack after attack, but finally the referee made good on his promise of a card and prop Aaron Doignie was deemed to have collapsed a maul forcing the Wanderers to see out the final 10mins with a man down.

The Stags along with their heavily partisan crowd smelt blood and wave after wave of red, and gold shirts stormed the league leader’s line only to either be turned over or forced into handling errors.

It was Cross though that nailed the final metal work into the Forest sides’ coffin as a counter attack lead to his skiving through the defence to score out wide.

With the clock fast ticking away Cinderford’s resilience in the final minutes finally conjured up a final and worthy try as their impressive No.8 carried from the back of scrum to barrel over the line, but ultimately it came too late to affect the result or even sneak the Stags a losing bonus point.

A great game of rugby, commented on by both the Referee and the very sporting locals propping up the bar afterwards.

Flanker Henry Mace deservedly took the M-O-M award for an outstanding performance in both defence and attack, however noteworthy performances all round as this Wanderers side goes from strength to strength.

Trip one to the Forest done, the Wanderers march on to receive Dings Knights at ‘Fortress Station Rd’ this weekend.
All spectators welcome.