Cinderford boosted their season with thrilling 40-31 victory over Taunton Titans in a must-win game for both sides.
The opening minutes of the first half saw back-to-back tries from both sides, by way of Taunton scrum half Connor Banks and home winger Will Hendy, both of which were converted by Frankie Dart and Joe Winfield respectively. The try-fest continued as Hendy, who was making his 50th appearance for Cinderford, scored his second before fellow winger Matthew Jones and then hooker Nathan Taylor went over to close out the home team’s first-half points. The visitors scored two more before half time via flanker Charlie Wright and winger Noah Fenton to finish off an exciting 45-point opening half at 26-19.
Taunton were quickly on the attack from the re-start and Charlie Wright to score his second of the game, with Dart securing the extras to bring the scores level at 26-26. Little continued to separate the teams until Titans centre Deago Bailey stormed through two defenders to secure five points and the lead for Taunton, although the conversion was missed by Dart who began to struggle from the tee. Cinderford reacted instantly with some ferocious carries before centre Will Baldwin burst clear through to score under the posts, with Winfield again converting to put the home team back in front at 33-31 after 69 minutes.
Refusing to settle for the narrow lead, Cinderford continued to attack with great pace before a lineout catch and drive to the line was stopped illegally and they were awarded a penalty try. Now crucially two scores ahead the Forest team defended their lines with great determination in the dying minutes to close out a vital victory.
Cinderford; Mike Wilcox, Matthew Jones, Charlie Powell, Will Baldwin, Will Hendy, Joe Winfield, Tom Knight, George Porter, Nathan Taylor, James Elliot, Dan Hodge, Tyler Jerrum (C), Jack Shields, Joe Mullis, Paddy Pearce.
Repls; Harry Edwards, Shaun Knight, Callum Thompson, Tom Anderson, Jimmy Willams.