National League One

Coventry 21

LAST season, Cinderford were completely destroyed away at Coventry.

This time, they dominated possession, scrums and line-outs and were unlucky to lose.

Coventry only got into Cinderford's half three times during the first 40 minutes, but each time they came away with points.

Cinderford gave league debuts to Simeon James, Rory Teague, Ben Draper and Ben West.

Coventry scored the opening try of the game through winger Andrew Murray in the fourth minute, with Luke Myring missing the conversion. It was his only missed kick of the match.

Cinderford were controlling the game but on 29 minutes Will Foden was sin-binned for pulling back a Coventry forward and Myring slotted the penalty.

Rory Teague opened Cinderford's account with a penalty when Coventry failed to roll away at the breakdown.

Coventry landed a killer blow three minutes before the break when missed tackles allowed Sam Herrington to break from deep and score in the corner. Myring's conversion made it 15-3.

On the stroke of half-time Cinderford were awarded another penalty in front of the posts which Teague duly slotted.

Cinderford continued to dominate in the second period and another Teague penalty cut the deficit. Coventry prop Luke Beales was also sin-binned for the offence of kicking the ball away.

Two further penalties from Myring and one from Teague made it 21-12 to Coventry with 10 minutes to play.

Cinderford camped inside the Coventry 22, but the home side's defence stood up well to the pressure.

With the final play of the game Cinderford were awarded a penalty wide out, which Teague kicked for a losing bonus point.

It was scant consolation when they probably deserved all four.

Cinderford: Danny Trigg (rep Mike Wilcox 73), Nev Codlin, Simeon James, Dewi Scourfield, Lloyd Stapleton (rep Rob Winchle 67), Rory Teague, Ben Draper, Paul Price (rep Joe Smart 67), Sam Wilkes, Chris Bundy, Ben West (rep Dave McKee 60), Ed King, Adam Nicholls (capt), Will Foden, George Evans. Rep not used: Tom Bozzard.