With Cinderford RFC on home soil courtesy of a better win ratio in National League 3 (South), they took the second promotion spot into National League Two (the former designation of the current National League 1) courtesy of a close victory.

Last season, Cinderford RFC finished 11th in National League 1 and are yet to get off the mark, with two defeats so far versus Esher RFC (A, 36 – 20) on the opening weekend and last week at home to Hartpury College RFC (10 – 23).

Consequently, new head coach Neil Loader will be anxious for his charges to ‘get the show on the road’ and therefore another hard fought contest is anticipated after the 6 year hiatus.

Likewise, DMPRFC have registered 2 defeats to date, against Blaydon RFC at the Arena (23 – 24) on the opening day of the season and last weekend at Wharfedale RFC (32 – 18).

With only the losing bonus point against Blaydon RFC to show, DMPRFC coaches John NEWTON and Danny BROWN will also be anxious for a change in fortune and the squad selected for Saturdays game will be under no illusions that they need to perform.

Last weekend was a disappointment for the sizeable travelling support for DMPRFC, who had to endure the short distance to ‘The Avenue’, Grassington, not only for the fact that it was a loss, but also because there is simply no quick route to the ground.

In addition, a translator was required to decipher the dulcid tones of the public address system announcer, who’s impression of a talking sheep was a good effort, but worsened as his medication wore off.
As far as the game itself was concerned, there were a lot of positives to take from it, but the bottom line is that you need a full team on the pitch to compete at this level. For forty minutes of the game DMPRFC endeavoured with 14 players, ten minutes of which was spent with 13 players, which is a massive disadvantage and so it proved.
One or two injuries were picked up during the game and opportunities are opening for squad players to ‘put their hands up’ for selection this week, as there is no respite in the league programme.

Kick off - 3pm.