National League One

Sedgley Park 21

FOR the sixth time this season, Cinderford were left with the consolation of a losing bonus point when so much more was theirs for the taking.

Cinderford dominated up front, bossed the breakdowns and enjoyed the lion's share of possession. Sedgley Park had no answers to Cinderford's pack at times, but hung in there and eventually got the spoils.

"It's hard to fault our guys," said Cinderford director of rugby Andy Deacon.

"Yes, we made mistakes in the game, but we're working our socks off and I don't think we're getting the rub of the green.

"It's all about fine margins. The scrum and line-out went well and they (Sedgley Park) were hanging on at the end."

Mathew Riley opened the scoring for Park with a fifth minute penalty, but Cinderford pinned the hosts inside their own 22 for the next 15 minutes with phase after phase of pick and goes. Twice they turned down easy penalty opportunities to kick for touch and go for tries, such was their dominance in the line-outs. Their ambition paid off when number eight George Evans peeled off the back of a rolling maul to touch down. Rory Teague added the extras.

Riley kicked a penalty to bring Park back to within one point, but Cinderford forged ahead again with half-time looming. Another powerful catch and drive was brought down illegally just short of the home side's line. Following several more pick and goes, hooker Tom Bozzard came up with the ball for Cinderford's second try, again converted by Teague.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Riley landed his third penalty to make it 14-9 to the visitors at the interval.

As so often this season, Cinderford started the second-half sleepily and Park winger Mike Dutton raced in unopposed for a try, converted by Riley, to bring the match to life.

Teague slotted a penalty for Cinderford, but on the hour mark Park were rewarded for some adventurous play with a try from lock Louis McGowan, who hit the line at pace and crashed through several tackles to score.

It turned out to be the decisive score. Cinderford pressed the Park line in the final 15 minutes but could not find a way through a solid defensive line.

Cinderford: Mike Wilcox, Nev Codlin, Kai Done (Simeon James 65), Dewi Scourfield (Rob Winchle 72), Lloyd Stapleton, Rory Teague, Ben Draper, Joe Smart, Tom Bozzard (Matt Jones 65), Yann Thomas, Ben West, Ed King, Adam Nicholls (capt), Chris McNeil (Will Foden 58), George Evans. Rep not used: Lee Fortey.