FOD Combination Junior Cup Semi-Final – 26th April 2014

Drybrook United 14pts
Cinderford Stags 15pts

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A penalty deep in injury time gave the Stags victory in this pulsating semi-final clash in which both teams gave their all.
The Stags threatened to run away with it in the opening minutes but missed an early penalty attempt and dropped the ball with the line at their mercy.
Playing with the wind at their backs Cinderford kept up the pressure and deservedly went into the lead when winger Nathan Green beat three men on a run to the line.
Drybrook rarely got out of their own half but made life difficult for the visitors by resolute defence and contesting every breakdown with determination.
Just before the break Cinderford No 8 Will Hogget scored the second try when he broke 

down the blind side of a scrum and Ollie Young added the conversion.

Half Time:
Drybrook United nil
Cinderford Stags 12pts

Drybrook had more of the game in the second half and quickly reduced the arrears when Mitch Renton took a quick tap penalty to cross for a try.
Mitch Baldwin converted and suddenly the momentum was with Drybrook.
Using the wind to good effect they kept up the pressure and were eventually rewarded with a try 5 minutes from the end when Baldwin touched down in the corner and converted his own try to put Drybrook into the lead for the first time.
Cinderford threw everything into attack but Drybrook kept control of the ball and tried to run the clock down.

With less than a minute remaining Drybrook had the chance to clear their lines but they chose to pick and drive and in doing so gifted Cinderford a penalty 30 metres out.
Up stepped Young and though his kick initially appeared to be drifting wide it curled back in to give Cinderford victory by the narrowest of margins.

Drybrook United XV; Sam Peaper, John Jeffs, Ben Large, Aiden Price, Connor Hale, Chris Rawlings, Mitch Baldwin, Connor Auker-Howlett, Dean Jelf, Jun Sing Lee, Joe James, Mitch Hale, Jim Rugman, Mitch Browning, Mitch Renton.
Replacements; Nick Ovens, Marcus Cowles, Kieran Auker-Howlett.