THE scoreline would have been unbelievable 20 years ago. But such are the vagaries of modern rugby that money – more importantly, money spent wisely – dictates the fortunes of clubs great and small.

Results don't lie. It seems that Cinderford have just about got it right. They are on the button and signed off a remarkable season with a resounding and well deserved victory over a side with a famous past but, on this showing, a gloomy future.

Cinderford's midtable position hardly does them credit. They deserved more.

In their 16 defeats they garnered 11 losing bonus points, a sure indication that many of those games were only narrowly lost. In fact, the Forest club ended with the second best defensive record in the league.

Director of rugby, Andy Deacon, is a cautious man. He recognises that after a faltering start his team made excellent progress. He wants that to continue.

Talks, he says, will take place individually with each member of the squad and he hopes to re-sign the majority for next season. He wants to add a prop or two and some new three-quarters to the mix but he does not anticipate too many changes.

"It's all about spending money wisely. We have a good coaching team in place and players who want to play for Cinderford. I would like to keep the guys together and build on what we have achieved this season," he says.

Deacon says that if the team plays to potential there is a bright future.

"You never know what the future holds. There will be a good team coming down from the Championship and strong and financially sound teams coming up. To make progress we have to target and try and break into the top four. We are in exciting times," he said.

Briefly, the demolition of Coventry was played out before a crowd of 370 who had been entertained before the game by the town's brass band. Winger Nev Codlin capped a fine season with an outstanding performance as he raced in for four tries to take his total to 18 and a place in the league's top ten for the season. Other tries were scored by Will Foden and Rob Winchle.

Outside half Rory Teague, the league's top scorer, added four conversions and two penalty goals to take his total for the season to 254.