Cinderford remained unbeaten with a hard-fought victory over Plymouth Albion at the Beavis Memorial Ground to go top of National League 1.
After early penalties went the way of the Cinderford scrum, it was a try from the back of the maul from hooker Nathan Taylor as Cinderford converted early pressure. Further dominance in the scrum allowed a show and go by outside-half Reece Broughton, to extend their lead to 14-0. Plymouth’s sluggish start continued as they handed Cinderford chances to clear their line. It was another line out, from which Cinderford once again scored a try, this time captain Harry Hone was able to spin away from the back of the maul to make it 19-0. After a poor first half, Albion finally managed to cross the whitewash courtesy of a break by winger Alex Ducker on the stroke of half-time.
Plymouth continued their momentum as the second half got underway but were unable to convert with further spills of the ball in crucial positions of the field. Boughton landed a penalty before the try of the match was scored by replacement Joe Dancer on 65 minutes who finished off some terrific handling including a wonderful break by winger Will Hendy, as Cinderford extended their lead to 29-7. A yellow card for Plymouth winger Alex Ducker did not help proceedings as Will Baldwin scored Cinderford’s fifth and final try, with a lovely step to cross the line which Boughton converted. Plymouth once again ended the half with a try, quick hands down the blindside after a patient build-up enabled captain Herbie Stupple to score. This ended what was a good victory for Cinderford putting them top of the league after Rosslyn Park fell to a 24-21 defeat away to Rams.
Cinderford; Mike Wilcox, Will Baldwin, Jamie Forester, George Boulton, Will Hendy, Reece Boughton, Mike Austin, George Porter, Nathan Taylor, Tim Brockett, Tyler Jerrum, George Evans, Matt Lane, Aaron Ryan, Harry Hone.
Replacements; James Elliot, Jack Preece, Jack Shields, Joe Dancer, Liam Hemming.