ADAM Balding says the coaching staff at Cinderford are ’aware of the magnitude’ of the task ahead - but his Cinderford clubmates are still staying upbeat after a string of spirited performances against National One’s top tree.

Cinderford have suffered three consecutive losses to Richmond, near-neighbours Hartpury College and now third-placed Plymouth Albion but Balding believes there are signs that point to another escape against relegation.

“We are trying to be as upbeat as possible,” Balding said of the atmosphere in the changing room after the 34-22 home loss to Albion.

“The players are buying into what we are about as coaches. I’ve been involved for five weeks now and it’s a difficult situation because the lads are training and battling well. We’re just falling short on a few little areas and when you’re up against it, the 50/50s do tend to go against you.

“For 10 minutes against Plymouth, we weren’t at the races but for the other 70 minutes we competed really well. It’s the same sort of story from the last few weeks; Richmond was a similar situation.

“But we’ve just played the three top teams in the league and looking forward at the next eight games we can take confidence.

“We do need to be more accurate, both as a collective and individually.

“We gave a penalty away from the first kick-off, and they kicked to the corner and within 90 seconds we were up against it. It wasn’t the best way to start but we’re not going to dwell on that.

“We can’t focus on other teams; at the moment there’s no pressure on the teams above us and we need to change that. But we know that a win is right around the corner.”

Balding also praised the club’s dual-registration players, three of whom – Tiff Eden, Derek Appiah and Josh Adams – have come in from Worcester Warriors and joined Bristol Rugby’s Callum Sheedy on loan at Dockham Road.

“The dual-registration players that have come in have done a great job,” Balding added.

“They’ve shown a willingness to learn and they have really added to the starting XV. They have raised the standard for the rest of the players contracted to Cinderford too.

“Everyone is pretty confident; they’re a great bunch of lads and the attitude and application is excellent. We can’t fault the lads on that.

“We’re aware of the magnitude of what we’ve got to do but you never know what can happen in sport.”