CINDERFORD RFC completed their pre-season preparations with back-to-back victories at Bell Sports & Rugby Park, beating Forest rivals Newent 20-12 before overcoming Hartpury University 32-21 less than 24 hours later.

Thursday’s meeting with Newent was played across three 20-minute sessions and gave both sides a final opportunity to test combinations before competitive rugby returned.

Cinderford struck first after five minutes. A scrum near the Newent line provided the platform before the ball was moved across the field for Callum Thompson to finish and make it 5-0.

Newent responded six minutes later with a converted try to move 7-5 ahead and remained in front at the first break after a late Cinderford score was ruled out for offside.

The visitors continued strongly after the restart and crossed again 12 minutes into the second period, stretching their advantage to 12-5.

Cinderford’s pack then began to make its presence felt. Andrew Smyth finished a driving maul from a lineout shortly before the second interval, reducing the deficit to 12-10.

The hosts took control in the final session, with Will Korb crossing from another maul five minutes in to restore Cinderford’s lead.

Korb then added his second try in similar fashion as Cinderford completed a 20-12 victory over a Newent side which had provided a competitive test throughout.

Cinderford returned to the same ground on Friday evening to face Hartpury University in their final warm-up fixture.

They ran in six tries on their way to a 32-21 win, with Brendan Llewelyn, Sam Smith, Jacob Perkins and Sam Baker all crossing, while Tom Samak scored twice. Cormac Saint supplied one conversion.

Hartpury responded with three converted tries, but Cinderford’s second victory in as many evenings ensured they ended their programme on a positive note.

The Newent contest had offered a different challenge to Friday’s encounter, particularly through the visitors’ resistance during the middle period. Cinderford, however, found increasing success through their set-piece and driving maul, which accounted for all three of their tries after Thompson’s opener. Against Hartpury, the hosts were able to spread the scoring across the side, with five different try scorers contributing.

Director of Rugby Clive Stuart-Smith said the two matches had rounded off a productive period of preparation.

“It has been a productive preseason block of games, finishing off with good sessions against Newent and Hartpury on consecutive nights,” he said.

“Both opposition put us under different types of pressure and it was pleasing to see how we adapted and found the solutions.

“All players have had an opportunity to show what they can do, as we now move into the start of the competitive season next weekend.”

The victories followed Cinderford’s earlier pre-season trip to Pontypool, where they were beaten 28-14 after conceding four first-half tries.

Attention now turns to National League 2 West and the opening fixture of the 2026/27 campaign.

Clifton visit Cinderford on Saturday, September 5, with a 3pm kick-off, as Stuart-Smith’s side look to carry the momentum from their final two warm-up matches into the league season.