Matches between these two teams have a habit of producing plenty of drama and this latest instalment certainly delivered once again as Chinnor gained a vital victory over a Cinderford team who gave everything, but just fell short at the end.
The home side were quickly into the attack and a kick ahead bounced very kindly for Josh Hodson to open the scoring with an unconverted try. A penalty kicked into the corner then set up an attacking lineout for Chinnor and the catch and drive saw Max Heathman touchdown for a try, which Tom Price converted. Cinderford finally started to build some momentum and a perfectly judged cross-field kick from Mike Wilcox was gathered by Morgan Adderley-Jones who scored a try, which Mike Austin converted. The Forest team now enjoyed their best spell of the match, with Dec Fissenden scoring from a driving maul, then they scored the try of the game as Austin finished off a sweeping move, to score a try which he also converted before kicking a penalty to make it 22-12 to his team at the interval.
The home side were on top for the majority of the second-half and they soon cut the deficit when Hodson went over for his second try, which Price converted. Reece Marshall regained the lead for Chinnor after 67 minutes when he was driven over the line for his team’s bonus point try, with Price again adding the extras. There was still to late drama however as Cinderford took advantage of their opponent’s indiscipline to set a 5m lineout in injury time, but the ball was knocked-on, and the final whistle sounded immediately.
Cinderford; Jamie Forrester, Will Baldwin, George Gladding, George Boulton, Morgan Adderley-Jones, Mike Wilcox, Mike Austin, George Porter, Nathan Taylor, Shaun Knight, Tyler Jerrum, Jonny Holliday, Matt Lane, Dec Fissenden, George Angell.
Repls; Tim Brockett, Joe Smart, Sam Baker, Dan Hodge, Jimmy Williams.