1st XV Away to Cinderford – Saturday 18th April 2026

On Saturday, Lymm make their 8th and final journey down the M6 and M5 to the West Country, this time to the Forest of Dean to play Gloucestershire’s Cinderford. In the reverse fixture back in December, Cinderford prevailed 43-33 in a high scoring and entertaining encounter, where a try at “the death” denied Lymm of a losing bonus point.

Indeed, with both teams having the same playing record of 11 wins to 13 defeats from the 24 matches played so far this season, Cinderford are 5 league points and 3 league places better placed than Lymm by virtue of the extra bonus points that they have accumulated. With Lymm technically still needing 1 more league point to avoid the relegation play-off position in the table, it is hoped that a lack of bonus points won’t become a deciding factor.

Cinderford is another long-established club, tracing its roots back to 1886 and producing England international AD “Bumps” Carpenter in 1931. Since 2001, Cinderford have played almost exclusively in the National Leagues with the majority of those seasons being spent in National 1 – a tremendous achievement for any club. We look forward to our visit on Saturday, learning more about our hosts and enjoying some traditional Gloucestershire hospitality.

The Lymm squad on Saturday is notable for the inclusion of three 18-year-olds, all of whom have come all the way through our Mini & Junior age groups and Colts Academy. Indeed, all three come from families with deep connections with our club. Ed Millachip, who came off the bench last Saturday for his first cap, follows in the footsteps of his father Peter, uncle John and brother Isaac; Jamie Cope, also a replacement last week, is the son of our M&J Chairman Ian and Finance Manager Jo; whilst debutant Alisdair Broadbent is the eldest son of Lymm legend, and contestant on the 1% Club, Keith. We congratulate each of them on their selections as they start out on what are hoped to be long careers pulling on the green, black and white shirt.