Cinderford United completed their pre-season preparations with a demanding trip to Stourbridge on Saturday, taking on Level Five opposition in a fixture that provided a valuable test ahead of the start of their league campaign, writes Jules Evans.

Despite the eventual 36–14 scoreline, the visitors were never outclassed and showed plenty of resilience throughout, although the strength of the home side’s set piece proved influential.

A driving maul from a lineout saw Stourbridge open the scoring with a converted try.

United responded with a period of pressure, coming close to scoring on a couple of occasions.

The failure to turn those opportunities into points was punished when Stourbridge’s left wing crossed for an unconverted try to extend the home side’s lead to 12–0.

Good work from the United backs created the opening and Will Day took his opportunity with aplomb, crossing under the posts for Cinderford’s first try with Charlie Stallard adding the conversion for 12-7 at the break.

Stourbridge took advantage of their dominance in the set piece to keep United pinned back for long periods.

Three further tries, two of them converted, saw the home side establish a 31–7 advantage.

Despite the pressure and the growing deficit, United continued to show the resilience that has been a feature of their preparations and refused to let the contest get away from them without a response.

A sustained spell of close-range pressure and a succession of pick-and-go carries eventually brought its reward. Dave Didcote forced his way over the line for United’s second try before Matt Tinker added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 31–14.

Stourbridge had the final word, again making their forward strength count as another driving maul resulted in the final try of the afternoon and completed the scoring at 36–14..