Cinderford 24-23 Darlington Mowden Park
Cinderford scored a last minute try to steal glory from Darlington Mowden Park in thrilling 24-23 win.
Despite a 3rd minute penalty by Cinderford fly half Joe Winfield to take the lead, it was Darlington who took the first half by the reigns with three consecutive tries from Harry Yates and a brace from Charles Smith. The visitors had their struggles though, with the kicking tee an apparent issue as fly half Garry Law failed to convert any of their tries, as well as discipline following a yellow card for centre Benjamin Frankland.
Cinderford faced a 12-point deficit in the second half, and after strong scrummaging by the home side and a continued lack of discipline by the visitors, they were awarded a penalty try to take the first points of the half. The home team continued to control play and it was only a matter of time before they found the white line with the impressive Will Baldwin scoring a try to level it up and Winfield converting to take the lead. Mowden Park started showing more intent in attack before some poor discipline by Cinderford awarded the away side with a penalty, which was calmly secured by Law to take a one-point lead.
Momentum continued for the visitors as scrum half Callum Pascoe scored their final try for what looked to be the winner for the away side. Cinderford showed grit as they refused to give up and it was Cinderford’s flanker Joe Mullis who scored a last minute try to give them the chance to steal it before the ever reliable from the tee Winfield sealed the final minute win by slotting the conversion.
Cinderford; Mike Wilcox, Will Hendy, Will Baldwin, Jamie Forrester, Matthew Jones, Joe Winfield, Jimmy Williams, George Porter, Nathan Taylor, Shaun Knight, Tyler Jerrum (C), Callum Thompson, Jack Shields, Joe Mullis, George Evans.
Repls; Harry Edwards, James Elliot, Tom Anderson, Jake Shortland, Tom Knight.