Ross Tucknott: Cornwall, Sport & All Sorts

Cinderford make their first visit across the Tamar this season knowing that a win over Redruth will push them tantalisingly close to safety in the battle to avoid the third relegation place. Victory could potentially lift them another another three places into 9th, possibly overtaking the Reds on games won with a game in hand as well. By contrast, Redruth could also leap a couple of places with a good win today, taking them past the 50 point mark which could well be enough for safety come the end of the season.

Cinderford started the season disastrously, losing all five of their opening games. By December things had barely improved, with only three victories under their belts after twelve matches after beating Manchester, Otley and Redruth. The latter result was the low point of the season for the Reds until recently, where the Cornishmen played all of ten minutes of decent rugby all game. A penalty near the touchline with a perpendicular gale-force wind which would have given the Reds a narrow lead heading into the final minute was expectedly missed, and as Redruth continued to chase the game a wild quick lineout was intercepted in the Redruth half, giving the Foresters a final try with the last play of the game to win 23-15.

Cinderford’s season turned around in December, though, with an away win at struggling Blackheath followed by a comfortable victory over Sedgley Park. Wharfedale decided to momentarily ruin the resurgence, but hosting Manchester proved to be the ideal warm-up for ambushing a Cambridge side reeling from the resignation of their chief financial backer. Cinderford capped a crucial 15 days by beating third from bottom Otley to see daylight between themselves and the relegation zone for the first time all season.

Journeyman scrum half and team captain Paul Knight (Sale, Fylde, Birmingham, Moseley) leads the try scoring for the Foresters with 9 tries, with young centre Ruben Haile close behind with one less. Former student Robert Winchie (Loughborough) has five to his credit, whilst second row David Bufton (Dings, Bristol) leads the pack with five as well. With Ali Bressington recently returning to Stourbridge and Brett Turner not having played since October, kicking duties now belong to newly signed Kiwi sensation Matt James (Neath), who already has 5 tries and 42 points from his first three starts.