Cinderford’s six-year journey in National League One rugby looks as though it might be coming to an end after they were beaten by Taunton Titans at Veritas Park.
The Forest team looked to be well placed 19-10 ahead after half an hour’s play, but the home team hit back to the lead at the interval and then race into a 37-19 lead before Cinderford scored a couple more tries to earn themselves two bonus points.
Louis Sinclair opened the scoring with a penalty for the Titans, but Cinderford responded well with tries from Tom Knight and Sam Smith, both of which were converted by Jake Shortland. The home team replied with a try from Will Vaughan, which Sinclair converted, before Nathan Taylor extended Cinderford’s lead with an unconverted try. Back came Taunton however, with a second penalty from Sinclair and he then converted a try from Francisco Diaz-Dart to give his team a 20-19 lead at the interval.
A superb individual try from home winger Oscar Stewart set the tone for third quarter as the Titans raced ahead, with Sam Leworthy also going over, and Sinclair added both conversions along with his third penalty. As the game went into its closing stages Cinderford responded with tries from Mike Wilcox, which Tom Knight converted and a second from Taylor, but time ran out on their brave challenge.
Cinderford; Mike Wilcox, Sam Smith, Tom Samak, Max Knight, Harry Johnson, Jake Shortland, Tom Knight, Harry Edwards, Nathan Taylor, James Elliot, Tyler Jerrum (Capt.), Callum Thompson, Paddy Pearce, Joe Mullis, Aaron Ryan.
Repls; George Porter, Alex Chalklin, Jack Shields, George Angell, Will Baldwin.