National League One

Stourbridge 18

CINDERFORD took another giant stride towards securing their National One status with this fifth win out of six.

For Stourbridge, the defeat leaves them with it all to do if they are to stave off relegation.

With a strong wind at their backs Cinderford made all the early running and outside-half Rory Teague was on target with two out of three penalty attempts.

With the visitors on top it was no surprise when number George Evans picked up at the base of a 5m scrum and showed good strength to force his way over for an unconverted try.

Stourbridge responded with an unconverted try from winger Nathan Bressington, who brushed aside a poor attempt at a tackle to go over in the corner, despite going perilously close to putting a foot in touch.

Cinderford opened up an 18-5 lead with a penalty-try after the home side's scrum disintegrated close to their own line.

Jamie Hearn's penalty cut the deficit to 10 points, but Cinderford scored what proved to be a vital try just before the break. A huge tackle in midfield from hooker Sam Wilkes dislodged the ball from the home centre and Rob Winchle bounced off a tackler and raced clear to score under the posts, with Teague adding the extras.

Whatever was said in the home side's changing room at half-time certainly had the desired effect and it was Cinderford who came under pressure in the second half.

A line-out catch and drive resulted in Stourbridge flanker Tom Leach touching down and when Hearn scored and converted his own try following a sweeping move the home side had all the momentum.

Cinderford didn't help their cause with some wayward kicking out of hand, and when Simeon James and Tom Heard were both given yellow cards in quick succession they were forced to play the final 10 minutes of the match with only 13 men on the pitch.

However, in the face of such adversity they showed tremendous strength of character to deny their opponents any more scoring opportunities and successfully run down the clock.

Cinderford: Mike Wilcox, Nev Codlin (Luke Carter 56, rep by Danny Trigg 65), Simeon James, Rob Winchle, Lloyd Stapleton, Rory Teague, Danny Pointon, Yann Thomas, Sam Wilkes, Tom Heard (Joe Smart 72), Ben West, Ed King, Adam Nicholls (capt, Luke Allen 68), Will Foden, George Evans. Rep not used: Tom Bozzard.