National League One

Loughborough Students 28

IN a match of two hugely contrasting halves Cinderford were left kicking themselves for letting a 17-0 lead slip on their ever visit to Loughborough.

Mike Wilcox – switched to fly-half in the absence of Mark Davies – kicked an early penalty for the visitors, before Jack Adams showed good skills to cross for a try. Wilcox converted.

The students had plenty of possession but they were taken aback by some aggressive defending from their opponents.

A line-out catch-and-drive saw Cinderford increase their lead further. Hooker Stuart Bailey touched down, with Wilcox knocking over another conversion.

A raft of changes – some enforced and others not – did not help Cinderford's cause.

Loughborough second-row Matt Rogerson scored within five minutes of the restart, then minutes later Chris Kinloch touched down in the corner. Hall converted both efforts to bring the game to life.

A Wilcox penalty provided only brief respite as the hosts surged in front for the first time when Rhys Owen raced over. Hall converted.

It got even worse for Cinderford when Jordan Brookes clinched the bonus point score, again converted by Hall.

A fine individual try from replacement Stefan Hawley gave Cinderford the consolation of a losing bonus point, but it could hardly mask their disappointment at squandering such a big first half lead.

Cinderford: Kai Done, Sam Caven, Jack Adams, Rob Winchle (Alex Frame 75), Lloyd Stapleton, Mike Wilcox, Danny Pointon, Leigh Green (James Brooks 40), Stuart Bailey, Nick Selway (Tom Heard 57), Ben West (Stefan Hawley 63), Dale Critchley (Dave McKee 57), Luke Allen, Will Foden (capt), Joe Garner.