National League One

Sedgley Park 12

THIS bonus point victory over Sedgley Park elevated Cinderford to seventh in the league, their highest position all season.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring after 13 minutes play when a missed tackle allowed hooker Richard Oxley to touch down for an unconverted try.

Cinderford were awarded a penalty-try when the ref ruled that Sedgley Park had deliberately wheeled a 5m scrum as the home side drove to the line. Rory Teague added the conversion.

The flow of the match was badly disrupted by injuries to both sides, with Cinderford winger Lloyd Stapleton dislocating his shoulder. He is likely to miss the remainder of the season – just like club captain Adam Nicholls who recently suffered a similar injury.

Cinderford increased their lead on 26 minutes when the ball was quickly recycled from a ruck on the 22m line and centre Simeon James burst through to score a try which went unconverted.

The visitors began the second-half strongly but never looked like breaking through a resolute home defence.

Teague extended the lead to 15-5 with a penalty, then James raced in for his second try.

Park's Louis McGowan was driven over for a try from close range which Matt Riley converted but Cinderford finished the game off in style.

Teague kicked his second penalty, then threw a scoring pass to winger Nev Codlin, who went in unopposed.

Seven wins out of eight means Andy Deacon's men can forget all about relegation and enjoy their run-in.

This week, the Foresters travel to Blaydon.

Cinderford: Mike Wilcox (Danny Trigg 64), Nev Codlin, Simeon James, Rob Winchle, Lloyd Stapleton (Kai Done 7), Rory Teague, Danny Pointon, Joe Smart (James Brooks 60), Sam Wilkes (Tom Bozzard 60), Chris Bundy, Ben West, Ed King, Luke Allen, Will Foden (Jake Kitson 60), George Evans (capt).