South West Division One
Cinderford 17, Dings Crusaders 19
THERE can be no more slip-ups ... that's the simple message Cinderford's players will have had drilled into them at training this week.
The Dockham Road team travel to Truro on Saturday knowing nothing short of a convincing win will do as they bid to regain National League status.
And it will not be an easy ask. Truro are just one place and two points behind them and will be as determined to win as their Forest rivals.
Dings, competent and efficient and with much the same game plan as Cinderford, deserved their narrow win, admitted rugby chief Dennis Hargreaves.
"We made too many errors and missed a couple of scoring chances. We scored two terrific tries through the backs but we kicked away too much possession and paid the price," he said.
Cinderford are now in third place behind Reading and Dings – and they have to travel to both clubs in the second half of the season.
"They are now games we must win if we are to have any chance. It's not beyond us as we have a good team but we must play with greater concentration," he said.
"We must also start scoring some points. We have not always won as convincingly as we should and if it comes down to points difference it could be crucial," he said.
Though they have a game in hand, Cinderford have to make up four points on the top team and they know it will not be easy.
"Dings and Reading are handfuls on their own grounds and Truro will be difficult. They will be determined to keep up their challenge."
There were positives in the game. Once more flying winger Richard Bazeley was on the score sheet. He crossed for two tries to take his tally to seven in two games.
Loose head prop Seb Merrett also came on to make his league debut and turned in a faultless performance.
"Promotion is still a possibility but the players know that from now on in we cannot afford to slip up. We must win every game – the ball is firmly in their court," said Hargreaves.