On top of a hill, deep into Gloucestershire the Highlanders would play Cinderford on Saturday in a very physical and tactical game of rugby in windy conditions.
The pitch looked in good condition and it was well maintained for the weather that Gloucestershire had but under surface was a muddy boggy pitch which caught the Highlanders by surprise and made getting your footing right pretty difficult.
Within the first 10minutes Cinderford capitalised on this and stamped their authority early in the game with a try and the extra points. 7 – 0 to Cinderford.
The first half would see big tackles from both teams but Cinderford would get the better of the first half showing their dominance in the scrum which led to a couple of their tries in the first half.
Cinderford led 19 -7 at the break with Elliot Simmons scoring the Highlanders first try and Jason Wycherley adding the extras.
The Highlanders in the second half would prove to their hosts that this game was not going to be easy ride and would display some very smart and tactical rugby.
Starting the second half with the wind behind them, the Highlanders would tactically put the ball in the corner from very clever kicks coming from Ben Calder and Jason Wycherley.
The Highlanders would find their footing in the scrum as well and competed better.
The last quarter of the second half would see the Highlanders really come alive and start to manufacture a lot of momentum with tries coming from Mike Doneghen and Elliot Simmons but the clock was unfortunately not in the Highlanders favour and they ran out of time to rescue the match.
The game would end 38 – 26 to Cinderford.
Highlanders squad.
1. Maurice Nwakor 2. Charlie Currie 3. Dan Neal 4. Dennis Gibson 5. Clarke Smith 6. Josh Gain
7. Alex Brown 8. Ian Brooks 9. Ben Calder 10. Jason Wycherley 11. Daley Aremu 12. Mike Doneghen
13. Alec Coombes 14. Elliot Simmons 15. Nathan Adu.
Replacements
16. Louie Keen 17. Josh Smith 18. Conrad Burne 19. Ewan Robertson
Coaches: Corne Du Rand and David Box.
Team Manager: James Collins-Clark
Physio: Julie Bieles
