Cinderford 47 – 40 Chester
Cinderford produced a dramatic attacking display to overcome Chester 47–40 in a 13-try thriller at the Bell Sports & Rugby Park.
In front of a crowd of 380, supporters were treated to a breathless contest packed with attacking intent from both sides, but it was the home side who held their nerve in the closing minutes to secure the bonus-point victory.
Chester struck first when quick hands in midfield sent centre Rhys Hamilton through for the opening try, converted by Sam Rogers. Cinderford responded swiftly when Jake Polledri powered over from No.8 for the first of his four tries, with Sonny Greenman adding the conversion.
The visitors regained the lead soon after as centre Ben Ivory crossed, Rogers again converting, but Polledri was proving unstoppable at the base of the scrum and he soon crossed for his second, Greenman once again adding the extras.
Polledri then completed a remarkable first-half hat-trick to give the hosts momentum, Greenman maintaining his flawless kicking record. Chester were not finished however, and Harry Craven went over before Rogers’ conversion narrowed the gap.
Cinderford struck again straight from the restart when a dazzling break from Greenman carved open the Chester defence and Rio Ebanks finished the move. Greenman converted to send the hosts into the break leading 28–21.
The second half continued at the same relentless pace. Nathan Taylor crossed first for Cinderford after the restart, Greenman converting, before Rogers produced a moment of opportunism for Chester — chasing down his own kick ahead to score and then converting.
Polledri was again at the heart of the action as he bulldozed his way over for his fourth try of the afternoon, extending Cinderford’s lead to 40–28.
Chester refused to fade and fought back strongly. Tries from Jared Williams and Louis Beer, along with a Rogers conversion, levelled the scores at 40–40, setting up a tense finale.
With the game finely balanced, Chester’s discipline began to slip in the closing stages and Cinderford seized the opportunity. After a series of powerful pick-and-go phases near the line, prop Oli Johnson forced his way over for the decisive try. Greenman added the conversion to seal a dramatic 47–40 victory.
Post-Match Reaction – Clive Stuart-Smith
Director of Rugby Clive Stuart-Smith reflected on an entertaining but chaotic contest.
“Very glad to come out of the game with a bonus point win, in what was a very chaotic, yet entertaining game.
Most pleasing was how we managed to wrestle back the lead in the last few minutes and close the game out.
At times we were brilliant and broke Chester down by being brave on the ball, collectively and individually. However, they are a very strong team, great at transition and punished our errors from all over the field.
While we enjoyed scoring 47 points, we made it far more difficult than it could have been.”
Man of the Match
Jake Polledri (Cinderford) – Four tries in a commanding performance from the No.8.
Half-Time
Cinderford 28 – 21 Chester
Attendance
380
Photo credit Kairos Sports Photography