The final pre-season game of 2016 saw Cinderford visit Leicester Road for the first time in a number of years. The game started in good conditions, which had earlier in the day seen the Staghounds beat Newark 1st XV 42-0, however it quickly changed, with heavy ran throughout the game, also including lightning strikes, which saw the referee Dave Clarkson take the players off the field twice, once in either half, meaning the game took over 2 hours to complete.

Cinderford kicked off playing down the hill and through superior ball retention made the early head way. Although Hinckley's phase defence was strong, by the time the players left the field for the first time, they were 8-0 up through a try and simple penalty.

They went 15-0 up soon after the return before Connor Eastgate kicked a penalty, but a loose kick and poor line chase before half time gave the visitors the chance to score a 3rd, and go in 20-3 up.

Hinckley were dealing well with the challenges in front of them and reacting to the circumstances of the game, and created chances in the second half however were unable to take them. At the other end Cinderford were, scoring twice leaving a final score of 34 - 3.

For the coaching team it was a fascinating watch, with a lot being learnt which will be needed with the league campaign beginning next week, and despite the defeat was therefore a very valuable exercise.

Hinckley:Culpin, Lamb, Umaga, Murray, Dacey; Eastgate, Hilyer; Bartlett, Massarella, Harvey, Marshall, Ehizode, Fearn (c), Norton, Mitchell. Reps: Macqueen, Avent, Fillier, Lord, Hamilton