GRFU U17 County Cup Final

Cinderford U17 24

Cirencester U17 20

At long, long last! At the ninth attempt in the last 10 years, the dream of County Cup glory finally came true for Cinderford U17s.

The Dockham Road side showed tremendous determination and desire in coming from behind to beat an outstanding Cirencester side in an incredibly tense final, at the Prince of Wales Stadium, Cheltenham, where the lead changed hands no less than six times.

Cinderford outscored Cirencester three tries to one but were guilty of giving away too many penalties inside their own half. It was fitting that Cinderford's tries were scored by two players who have been with this side since the very beginning, Chance Ridler (2) and man of the match, Sam Morse.

An injury-hit Cinderford took to the field as underdogs against a full strength and highly regarded Cirencester squad.

How fitting this talented and gutsy young side should wash away all the disappointments of past cup finals with a rousing and incredibly determined team performance, particularly in the second half, in the very last game that either side will play at junior level before moving up to Colts rugby.

That this final match should also be between two of the closest matched and most respectful of rugby rivals in the county over all those years made the occasion all the more fitting.

The hope of all at Cinderford RFC to see this U17s side finally achieve their dream saw large numbers turn up in support, including the Cinderford U7s-U11s age groups on their way back from annual tour, as well as the U15s squad, plus many of the current Cinderford 3rd XV squad and several from the first and second XVs.

Cirencester led 9-8 at half time and stretched to a 17-8 lead within five minutes of the restart.

This seemed to galvanise Cinderford's team spirit and the rest of the game was played largely in the Cirencester half.

Cinderford clawed their way back to retake the lead at 18-17 before conceding another penalty to go 20-18 down with 12 minutes remaining. But, two late penalties, both from wide positions, were slotted by the nerveless Elliott Davies to secure a superb and thoroughly deserved win for this outstanding Forest of Dean side.

This was a truly wonderful achievement for this fine young team, many of whom have been in the side since the very beginning at U7s/U8s level. There could be no greater reward for all the years of dedication and hard work put in by team coach Mike Ridler and assistant coach Jamie Baker plus Mark Bonser, Daryl Richards and the many others who have helped develop this hugely talented side over the last 10 years.