It was third against fourth in this National League One clash at Volac Park, and it eventually went the way of the home side as Cambridge finished the match strongly to see off a spirited challenge from Cinderford.
Cambridge opened the scoring with a try from Joe Tarrant, with Steff James converting. The visitors responded immediately however when debutant Morgan Adderly-Jones raced over with Mike Austin adding the extras. Some excellent approach play then created a try for Cinderford’s Mike Wilcox, with Austin on target again with the conversion. The scores were level again when Ben Brownlie was driven over the try-line, with James converting and Cambridge went back in front when Kieran Frost touched down for a converted to make it 21-14 after 32 minutes. A penalty from Austin reduced the deficit for the Foresters just before the half-time whistle.
It was the visitors who began the second half brightly and they re-took the lead when Austin spotted a gap and raced over for a try, which he also converted. Then another Cinderford debutant Will Gilderson increased the lead when he scored an unconverted try. As the match went into it’s closing stages the home side were right back into it when Brownlie scored his second and soon afterwards the referee awarded them a penalty try to change the momentum of the match. Deep into injury time James went over for his side’s sixth try as they completed their victory.
Cinderford; Will Gilderson, Will Baldwin, Morgan Adderly-Jones, George Boulton, Will Hendy, Mike Wilcox, Mike Austin, George Porter, Nathan Taylor, Shaun Knight, Tyler Jerrum, Jack Shields, Aaron Ryan, Joe Mullis, Harry Hone (Capt.)
Replacements; Alex Chalkin, Will Haly, Dan Hodge, Matt Lane, Jimmy Williams.