National League One

Blackheath 19

AN inspired second-half performance from Cinderford earned them this fantastic bonus point victory over Blackheath.

Ex-Cinderford player Rory Teague was not in the Blackheath line-up, but the Londoners led 19-15 at the interval.

Home scrum-half Sam Arnott scored an early try following a line-out catch-and-drive from the 22m line, with Mark Davies landing the conversion.

Blackheath responded with two identically fashioned tries from line-out drives. Both were scored by flanker Dave Allen, with Ollie Groves converting one.

Mark Davies kicked a penalty for Cinderford, but from another forward drive to the line Blackheath centre Richard Windsor went over. Groves converted to make it 19-10 to the visitors after 27 minutes.

With five minutes of the half remaining the home side went over from yet another catch-and-drive. This time, it was hooker Tom Bozzard who claimed the unconverted try.

Bozzard scored his second touchdown early in the second half to put Cinderford back in front. It was a lead they never surrendered.

With the match opening up Cinderford had to defend their line, but they did so effectively and gradually moved up field.

Mike Wilcox kicked, chased and tackled superbly to force the ball loose and Rob Winchle gathered it up and sprinted clear to score the bonus point try. Davies converted.

Blackheath threw everything at Cinderford in the closing stages but the home side were well up to the task. With just a couple of minutes remaining second-row Ben West powered through for his side's fifth try in the corner, which man of the match Davies converted.

Cinderford: Mike Wilcox, Nev Codlin, Jack Adams, Rob Winchle, Lloyd Stapleton, Mark Davies, Sam Arnott, Joe Smart, Tom Bozzard, Tom Heard, Ben West, Dave McKee, Luke Allen, Will Foden (capt), George Evans. Reps: James Brooks, Stuart Bailey, Joe Garner, Dale Critchley, Sam Caven.

See this week's Forester for match reaction with Sam Arnott.