ANDY Deacon's Cinderford side sent a clear message to their National League One rivals this week – write us off at your peril.

Second from bottom Cinderford beat Coventry 28-0 to secure their first win since October.

A delighted Deacon said: "I've received stick and come under pressure from some quarters, but I've always maintained that we've got good players here. The coaches have always believed in the players.

"I played in Cinderford teams not as good as this one.

"Everything came off on Saturday and we kept the scoreboard ticking. We've saved our best and worst of the season for Coventry because we lost 55-5 at their place.

"I spoke to their guys afterwards and they all said 'where did that one come from'?

Cinderford lost Nevaro Codlin before Saturday's match to a troublesome tooth abscess. Dewi Scourfield replaced him, with Paul Boston switching to the wing.

It was the pack who laid down the marker – beating Coventry into submission up front.

Deacon said: "Chris Hall galvanised everyone because he is a leader, but I was especially pleased for young Chris Bundy – who had a hard time up at Coventry, but came through strong.

"We got Dave McKee into our second-row and he was outstanding.

"Having Adam Nicholls back also makes a difference to our team.

"It means Luke Allen can switch to his best position at six and George Evans, our number eight, can make less tackles and carry the ball a bit more."

Deacon is not getting carried away by one victory, but says the Coventry win has raised confidence, squeezed the league table and sent a stark message to rival clubs.

He said: "The win lifted the whole place, not just the players, but the supporters, administrators and everyone connected with the club. "We had a good Saturday night. "We've been on a long losing streak but we've got the monkey off our back."

Cinderford go to Blaydon this week, travelling up on Friday.

Deacon added: "Blaydon have a good scrum, but Saturday's win gives me hope.

"Our Christmas party was cancelled, so we're having it this week. I want another win to make the party go with a swing."

* JAKE Boer won't be returning to Dockham Road this season.

However, director of rugby Andy Deacon hopes to have the 35-year-old former Gloucester forward back at the club next season.

Boer returned to South Africa in October for personal reasons. He expects to be back in the UK in the summer, which would enable him to resume his role as player/forwards coach at Dockham Road.

Deacon said: "He has indicated he would like to take up the role he had and I'd be willing to have him back."