RAMS CEO Gary Reynolds is predicting a remarkable and fascinating encounter when National One table-toppers Cinderford arrive at Old Bath Road on Saturday (3pm).
The Forest of Dean men arrive having won nine of their 10 games to date, along with four from four in pre-season which included a brace of victories against Rams.
They stand seven points clear of second-placed Rosslyn Park and 14 ahead of the Berkshire side – albeit having played a game more – which means Rams’ return to action against one of the biggest tests they
could face.
And Reynolds said: “Cinderford are an enormous challenge. You play a Gloucester side and you know what you’re going to get, which is an extremely robust form of rugby.
“We’ve locked horns on many occasions and we have a huge amount of respect for them – especially (DoR) Paul Morris and the Chairman Pete Bell.
“They live and breathe that club and so do the squad – they’re a very, very decent side and it will be a remarkably fascinating encounter.”
One of the highlights of Rams’ season to date was the breath-taking 24-21 success against then leaders Rosslyn Park back last month, and Reynolds is confident another classic clash could be on the cards as the hosts end to halt a run of two straight defeats.
He continued: “It will be different to the Rosslyn Park game as both sides will be vying for set-piece – if you’re an aficionado of scrums, line-outs, driving mauls you’ll love it!
Cinderford will be coming with lots of supporters and they’ve got a remarkably knowledgeable set of fans, so the atmosphere is going to be electric.
“It’s going to be a great afternoon and the lights and stand will add to it even more so, so at £15 it’s a giveaway.”
Rams go into the crucial contest having recorded six wins from nine games and the chief executive said: “I think the way the boys have performed shows we’ve kicked on since our first season in National One, and that’s all you can ask – that the squad gets better.
“I think the coaching team have done a first-class job despite not necessarily having the full complement of players available.
“The good and most exciting thing is we’re starting to get some of the injured players back, and that’s very positive.
“The games we’ve lost we have to give a lot of credit to the opposition for the way they’ve played – I’ve said from the outset it’s a remarkably tough league and it’s not like anything we’ve been in before because any side will beat you if you’re not at your best.
“ Any of the coaches in the league will tell you that.
“It’s an ongoing challenge, but I think we’ve played some excellent rugby and I think there’s more to come.”
By Richard Ashton
