Cinderford came out on top in an extraordinary afternoon of attacking rugby at Bournville, holding their nerve in a breathless 17-try contest to secure a 62–57 victory and five league points on the road in National League 2 West.
It was a game that barely stopped for breath, with the two sides trading scores throughout an afternoon when neither was prepared to let the other get away.
Bournville struck first to take an early 7–0 lead, but Cinderford’s response was immediate. Mattie Cotton crossed for the visitors’ opening try and Joe Winfield added the conversion before Brendan Llewelyn went over for Cinderford’s second, Winfield again converting to make it 14–7.
The visitors continued to attack and Andrew Smyth claimed his first try of the afternoon after ten minutes. Although the conversion was missed, Cinderford had opened up a 19–7 advantage.
Bournville quickly reduced the deficit with a converted try, but Cinderford responded once more. Jake Polledri crossed and Winfield converted to restore a 12-point cushion at 26–14.
Smyth was soon back among the scorers, crossing for his second try after 22 minutes, with Winfield again adding the extras to move Cinderford 33–14 ahead.
There was no sign of Bournville going away, however. A try around the half-hour mark reduced the gap to 33–19 before Smyth completed an impressive first-half hat-trick, taking Cinderford to 38 points.
Bournville had the final word of an action-packed opening 40 minutes, scoring a converted try right on the stroke of half-time to leave Cinderford 38–26 ahead at the break.
The pace showed no signs of slowing after the restart.
Winfield opened the second-half scoring with a penalty to extend Cinderford’s lead to 41–26, but Bournville immediately hit back with another try.
Cinderford responded through Jacob Perkins, with Winfield’s conversion making it 48–31, only for the hosts to cross again as the match continued to swing from one end of the field to the other.
Llewelyn then grabbed his second try of the afternoon, Winfield converting to give Cinderford a 55–38 advantage.
That looked a useful cushion, but Bournville produced a determined late fightback. Successive tries brought the hosts to within five points at 55–50 with around five minutes remaining, setting up a tense finish.
Cinderford needed another score — and it came through Callum Thompson. His late try, converted by Winfield, took the visitors to 62 points.
Even then, the scoring wasn’t finished.
Bournville crossed once more before the final whistle, but Cinderford had done enough to come through an extraordinary contest 62–57.
Andrew Smyth finished with a hat-trick, Brendan Llewelyn crossed twice, while Mattie Cotton, Jake Polledri, Jacob Perkins and Callum Thompson also touched down. Joe Winfield contributed seven conversions and a penalty from the tee.
POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
Cinderford Director of Rugby Clive Stuart-Smith was pleased to leave Bournville with maximum points, but acknowledged there remains plenty for his side to work on.
“We are pleased to score 62 points and pick up five points away from home. However, our discipline lets us down far too often and we gave a very competent Bournville team too many opportunities that they turned into points and put us under pressure.
“We are looking more comfortable in attack each week but will need to significantly improve our defence to compete consistently.”
It was an honest assessment after an afternoon which demonstrated Cinderford’s growing attacking threat, while also highlighting the areas that will need attention as the National League 2 West campaign continues.
FULL TIME: Bournville 57 – Cinderford 62
Cinderford scorers:
Tries: Mattie Cotton, Brendan Llewelyn (2), Andrew Smyth (3), Jake Polledri, Jacob Perkins, Callum Thompson.
Conversions: Joe Winfield (7).
Penalty: Joe Winfield.