League leaders Richmond proved too strong for a battling Cinderford team as they secured a bonus point victory at the Beavis Memorial ground.
The visitors made a strong start to the match but were unable to breakthrough a solid home defence and when Cinderford gained some worthwhile possession they opened the scoring with an unconverted try from winger Sam Smith. Richmond outside-half Tom Hodgson kicked a penalty before the visitors took the lead with an excellent individual try from full-back Louis Lynagh, who beat several defenders in a fine run from close on the half-way line. More pressure from Richmond then saw Hodgson step inside the cover defence to make it 13-5 after 25 minutes of play. Cinderford enjoyed a good spell of possession as half-time approached and a strong run from Harry Hone took then close to the try line, before scrum-half James Dean went over for an unconverted score.
Despite playing into a strong head wind it was the Londoners who controlled long periods of play in the second-half and they soon increased their advantage when Hodgson scored his second try of the afternoon from close range, which he also converted. With ten minutes remaining it was Hodgson again who made the initial break to put flanker Toby Saysell away to score his team’s fourth try and complete a hard earned victory.
Cinderford; Harry Tovey, Sam Smith, George Boulton, Jack Hayes, Ed Sheldon, Dan Pointon, James Dean, George Porter (Capt.), Sam Baker, Tim Brockett, George Evans, Dale Lemon, Matt Gilbert, Matthew Bennett , Harry Hone. Replacements; James Elliot, Ethan Hunt, Jack Shields, Jimmy Williams, Will Mansfield.