CINDERFORD came out on top of this heavyweight Gloucestershire derby at Dockham Road, outscoring Hartpury by four tries to two.

The home side controlled much of the first half and went ahead through a Mark Davies penalty.

More pressure near the Hartpury line resulted in a try for former Stourbridge number eight Joe Garner, who forced his way over from a 5m scrum. Davies added the conversion.

Davies was on target with his second penalty before Hartpury opened their account with a penalty from Craig Jackson. Cinderford wasted little time going back on the offensive and Garner crossed for his second try, charging through down the blindside.

With Davies knocking over the conversion it was 20-3 after half an hour's play.

The second half saw Hartpury much more involved in the game and only some inspired defending from Cinderford kept them out.

Eventually, after home centre Rob Winchle had been shown a yellow card, Hartpury crossed for a try through ex-Cinderford winger Reuben Haile, which Jackson converted.

Cinderford hit back immediately with some quick handling releasing danger man Nev Codlin. He brushed aside a couple of attempted tackles to race in from halfway for an excellent try.

Back came Hartpury and another long spell of pressure ended with an unconverted try for Clive Stuart-Smith.

The match ended in thrilling fashion, with Cinderford running the ball from deep inside their own half.

More terrific handling created the space for replacement winger Sam Caven to sprint clear and score a classic try in the corner.

This week the real action begins for Cinderford with an opening league trip to Cambridge.

Cinderford: Mike Wilcox, Nev Codlin, Jack Adams, Rob Winchle, Lloyd Stapleton, Mark Davies, Sam Arnott, James Brookes, Tom Bozzard, Tom Heard, Ben West, Ed King, Adam Nicholls, Will Foden, Joe Garner. Reps: Joe Smart, Nico Woodward, Leigh Green, Dave McKee, Ben Sparks, Alex Frame, Sam Caven, Stephan Hawley.

Cinderford United 28

Old Patesians 13

THE strength and depth of Cinderford's squad was fully illustrated by this convincing win over Old Pats.

Ex-Lydney prop Leigh Green was impressive throughout and scored Cinderford's opening try, which Dan Trigg converted.

Old Patesians replied with a try in the corner, then went ahead with a penalty goal.

However, some good play from Pete Towers released Kai Done for a touchdown, converted again by Trigg.

Second-row Richard Mountford was next to score for Cinderford following a great tackle from Jack O'Connell and some terrific play in the loose by Kyle Frowen.

Trigg's conversion made it 21-8 at the interval.

Straight from the restart Towers intercepted a pass and raced through under the posts, leaving Trigg a simple conversion.

The visitors came more into the match as it wore on and were rewarded with a consolation try.

Cinderford United: Danny Trigg, Josh Hannam, Kai Done, Danny Chappell, Nicky Gait, Pete Towers, Jack O'Connell, Leigh Green, Pat Benson, Seb Merrett, Richard Mountford, Dale Critchley (capt), Roger Birkin, Kyle Frowen, Stewart Hendry. Reps: Paul Price, Dan Oselton, Jake Bonser, George Evans, Joe Hoyle, Tom Law, Morgan Goodhall.