MIREN (Minety and Cirencester) took on Cinderford on a heavily cut-up pitch.

The effects of seven weeks without a match were clearly evident with Miren (Minety and Cirencester) players well off the pace of the game at the start.

Within the opening 10 minutes, Miren conceded a soft try and with poor handling and decision making failed to capitalise on several scoring opportunities.

However toward the middle of the half things began to improve.

The pack started to dominate the scrum, taking a number against the head and powerful runs from Amelia Buckland-Hurry and Megan Sanders were starting to take their toll on the Cinderford defence.

During a period of sustained pressure on the Cinderford line, Buckland-Hurry capitalised on a scrum against the head with a pick up and drive to score Miren’s first try to leave it 5-5 at half time.

The second half was a different story and straight from the kick off Miren’s intention to run the ball was evident.

They took the lead when left wing Catrin Garland was put clear to score in the corner, but soon afterwards lost their influential forward Alice Evans through injury and played the rest of the game with a one-player disadvantage.

However this appeared to spark the team into an even greater effort and the lead was further extended when Garland claimed her second with a run in from halfway.

Momentum was building with Rachael Carpenter turning over a constant flow of possession and Miren’s blitz defence stifling Cinderford attacks at source.

Momentum turned to points when a powerful run from Jenny Benton and sublime pass put right wing Adriane Blair over near the posts.

Blair added the conversion and almost immediately from the kick off the Benton-Blair combination produced exactly the same result and Miren were coasting.

A third try for Blair extended the lead further but despite constant pressure on the Cinderford line for the last 10 minutes Miren were denied a further score.

Miren: Alice Evans, Rebecca Brown, Rachel Carpenter, Megan Sanders Chloe Morris, Amelia Buckland Hurry (one try), Amie Stephenson, Katie Moy, Catrin Garland (two tries), Jenny Benton, Josie Snow, Adrianne Blair (three tries, two conversions).

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