National League Three South
Cinderford 34, Clifton 10
CLOSE shaves have dominated Cinderford's results this season but hard luck stories will have no place in the history books if Cinderford fail to win their next three games.
The Dockham Road boys have been rooted to the bottom of the league all season, so there was plenty to celebrate as they knocked struggling Clifton sideways on Saturday and jumped up two places.
But the bad news is that three teams could get the drop and with three games remaining Cinderford will need to win them all to avoid having to rely on other sides to do them favours.
"It's a tall order but I believe we are good enough to do it and we must start with a win against league favourites Launceston on Saturday," says rugby chief Dennis Hargreaves.
With such a heady reputation and with a solid pack and classy backs, Launceston's visit is likely to attract the biggest crowd of the season to Dockham Road and Hargreaves would like to show them his team can match and beat the best.
"I thought we were a shade unlucky when we played them earlier in the season. The sides were finely balanced at one stage but we missed chances and in this league that is fatal," he said.
He was encouraged but not completely impressed by Saturday's performance.
"There are things we have to work on. We scored a couple of cracking tries but there were mistakes and we have to iron those out," he said.
Steve Price won praise for his throwing-in at the line-outs and Matt Evans made a huge contribution with a two outstanding tries from centre.
Hargreaves was pleased with the work of the forwards but also a shade disappointed his team conceded a late try.
"It will be a big test on Saturday but one we are looking forward to. We want to win all the remaining games to make sure we stay up by our own ability and not by having to rely upon the results of other games," he said.
Cinderford's tries were scored by Matt Evans (2), Peter Verry, Ollie Lamb and Kerry Bourne with Mark Roberts kicking a penalty and three conversions.