Nailsea & Backwell opened 2023 with a 34-17 defeat at top of the Counties 1 Tribute Western North table Cinderford seconds last Saturday.

The Ravens travelled Cinderford with no expectations as the league leaders have dispatched every side who travelled to the Forest with relative ease and scored through George Gladding, James Kear, Will Anderson, Matt Bennett and Joe Langbridge 

Although they started well and with two tries and a penalty raced to a 15-0 lead the Ravens found their groove and start to compete. With the rain on and off all day the set piece was going to be key and Ciaran Askew and his front row partners started to get dominance. 

From a lineout the returning Ryan Barrow got to the back of a bulldozing maul to score making half-time competitive at 20-5. 

Cinderford scored from a well placed kick before Ryan Barrow got a second from yet more good work from the Nailsea pack before Adam Grafton scored under the posts from Cory Love’s pass. 

At 27-17 with 10mins to go, and Nailsea dominating the scrums, the visitors went for the bonus point. Charlie Cox and captain Luke Sharp carrying tirelessly all afternoon but with the final play Cinderford scored a break away try to flatter the scoreline.

Nailsea host Cleve this Saturday at West End Park at 2:15pm.