Below is an extract from Andy Deacon's weekly column in The Citizen, which can be read in full here. Lovely to see Doug Perks settling into his new role as Match-Day Host!

"There was only one fixture for Cinderford this weekend, and that was the Stags. They’re a very successful team and have only lost one game this season but sadly came unstuck 29-10 in a friendly at Old Cryptians.

It was probably the most watched game in Gloucestershire with a really healthy crowd of 100-plus including our coaching team. We just went to have a look and to show our support but had a really good afternoon.

The hospitality from the Old Cryptians committee was excellent. Chairman Alan Roberts and his team comprising Dave Reeves, Doug Perks and Nigel Holford really looked after me and my son Oliver, providing coffee at half time. A real credit to them for all their hard work. It was also good to catch up with ex-Gloucester and Old Cryptians winger Nick Price. He lives in America now and works out of Atlanta so it was good to see him back in the UK.

It was a great day and demonstrated everything that is good about local rugby. The pitch was in good nick, there was some great rugby and a lot of camaraderie and banter flying around. They played with real endeavour and skill, and shows the quality of local club rugby. They were mainly young lads but it was played with good structure and pace.

James King is the Old Cryptians coach after playing there for years as a prop. Being a fellow prop I remember playing against him when he was the cornerstone of the Old Pats scrum, and he did a job on me. In fact he really stuffed me. I still haven’t forgotten about it and he was quick to remind me, jokingly, that he has been dining out on it since."