Cinderford kept up their challenge near the top of National One with a well-deserved victory over Taunton Titans at Veritas Park.
The home side made the better start to the match, and they opened the scoring when some quick hands realised centre Harry Tarling to score a try, which Jack Walsh converted. The visitors responded well, and they kicked a penalty into the corner to set up an attacking lineout from which hooker Nathan Taylor was driven over to score, with Reece Boughton landing the conversion. Play continued to be evenly contested before the Forest side took the lead after 26 minutes when scrum-half Mike Austin exchanged passes with Will Hendy before racing clear from half-way to score an unconverted try.
The second half began with the Titans quickly levelling up the scores when Aron Struminski went over, but Cinderford soon hit back when Taylor scored his second try from another lineout drive. Home second-row Dan Swain then scored his team’s third try, which Walsh converted to put Taunton 19-17 ahead going into the final quarter.
It was Cinderford however who finished the match the stronger and influential captain Harry Hone restored the advantage for his team went he forced his way over for the bonus point try which Boughton converted. In the closing stages of the match more pressure from the Foresters near their opponents try line forced them concede several penalties and Boughton was able to ensure victory with two more successful kicks at goal.
Cinderford; Mike Wilcox, Will Baldwin, Reece Boughton, George Boulton, Will Hendy, Reece Boughton, Mike Austin, Tim Brockett, Nathan Taylor, James Elliot, George Evans, Joe Dancer, Matt Lane, George Angell, Harry Hone.
Repls; Dewi Wilcox, Joe Mullis, Tyler Jerrum, James Forrester, Jimmy Williams.