Bishop’s Stortford secured their place in National One next season and consigned Cinderford to relegation in this season finale.
It was the away side’s half from the first whistle, as they were awarded an early penalty try after Cinderford’s and Joe Mullis’s yellow card. Momentum continued as Harrison Langworthy’s powerful ball-carrying secured their second try, pushing the score to 12-0. Cinderford fought back, but a clever grubber set up winger Jake Morris for Bishop’s third try, converted by fly-half Tom Walker. The away side’s relentless pressure continued, with Will Rogers adding another try to give Cinderford a 24-point deficit to overcome. Despite a late surge from Cinderford, with winger Sam Smith scoring to put the home side on the scoreboard, the visitors finished the half with a 24-5 lead.
Cinderford fought back fiercely in the second half, with George Porter scoring to narrow the gap to 24-10. Bishop’s Stortford extended their lead with a penalty kick from Connor Lloyd in the 54th minute; however, a red card for Harrison Langworthy halted their momentum just minutes later. Cinderford capitalised as they continued to pile the pressure on the visitors, with Sam Smith scoring again almost immediately after the red card, followed by another try for the home side by Max Knight to bring them within five points of the visitors. Despite a missed penalty kick for Stortford and a strong second-half comeback by Cinderford, the visitors held on for a narrow victory at full time.
Cinderford; Mike Wilcox, Sam Smith, Tom Samak, Max Knight, Will Baldwin, Jake Shortland, Tom Knight, George Porter, Nathan Taylor, Shaun Knight, Jack Shields, Callum Thompson, Paddy Pearce, Joe Mullis, Aaron Ryan (Capt.)
Repls; Harry Edwards, James Elliot, Jonny Holliday, George Angell, Harry Johnson.