Cinderford remain on top of National League 2 (South) after seeing off the challenge of the Wild Geese at their Hazelwood ground.

The home side went into the match in good spirits after beating previous leaders Chinnor last week, but it was Cinderford’s superior forward power that earned them their 17th victory of the season.  It was the visitors who dominated the opening exchanges, but it took them a while to breakthrough some determined defence before centre Ed Bouge glided over for a try near the posts, with Liam Hemming adding the conversion.

Wild Geese soon responded though when their prolific winger George Owen brushed aside a couple of attempted tackles to score an unconverted try.  Cinderford continued to hold a territorial advantage and when they kicked a penalty into the corner their lineout drive resulted in a try for flanker Aaron Ryan, which Hemming converted.  More pressure near their opponents line brought them a third try, when captain George Porter forced his way over to give his team a 19-5 advantage at the interval.

The second half began with a series of scrummage resets, a yellow card for home prop George Dean and eventually the referee awarded Cinderford a penalty try, when the home scrummage crumbled under pressure.  The Wild Geese replied when Owen once again showed good skills to evade the cover defence and score his second try.

Back came Cinderford though and a lineout steal enabled flanker Matt Lane to show great pace as he raced clear to score his side’s fifth try.  Scrums went uncontested in the closing stages, following injuries to home forwards and Sam Cunningham scored an unconverted try, but it proved to be no more than a consolation for his team.

Cinderford; Stefan Hawley, Alex Frame, Terence Babarinsa, Ed Bogue, Reuben Norville, Liam Hemming, Clive Stuart-Smith, George Porter (Capt.), Nathan Taylor, Tim Brockett, Callum Allen, Dale Lemon, Matt Lane, Aaron Ryan, Harry Hone.

Replacements; Joe Smart, James Elliot, Matt Bennett, Lewis Beer, Rob Winchle.