National League One

Sedgley Park 29

HOOKER Tom Bozzard scored a hat-trick of tries as Cinderford bounced back from successive defeats to record their first ever victory at Sedgley Park.

It took the Foresters closer to their target of 45 points by Christmas.

It was the home side who started best and they were 10-0 up after just 15 minutes, with Tom Carlisle converting Andrew Riley's try and kicking a penalty.

Cinderford hit back when prop Joe Smart went over for a try which Mark Davies converted. Shortly afterwards, Davies landed a penalty to level the scores.

With half-time approaching a line-out catch and drive saw Bozzard go over for his first touchdown.

Davies was unable to convert, but he was on target with a subsequent penalty to give his team an 18-10 advantage at the interval.

Riley crossed for his second try early in the second half, but another Bozzard touchdown and a conversion and a penalty from Davies stretched Cinderford's lead further.

The home side refused to give up. Number eight Juan Crous – one of the best players on show – scored a try which Carlisle converted to cut the deficit to 25-22.

However, Cinderford struck twice more to take a decisive lead.

Replacement number eight George Evans made his mark by picking up at the base of a scrum and breaking clear to score.

Bozzard's third try came from another well executed catch and drive move, with the conversion from Davies giving him a personal haul of 14 points.

The home side secured the consolation of a bonus point when Conor McGrath went over for their fourth try in injury-time.

Cinderford: Mike Wilcox, Nev Codlin (Leigh Green 67), Jack Adams, Rob Winchle, Lloyd Stapleton, Mark Davies, Sam Arnott, James Brooks (Kai Done 67), Tom Bozzard (Stuart Bailey 67), Joe Smart, Dave McKee (George Evans 55), Dale Critchley, Luke Allen, Will Foden (capt), Joe Garner (Ed King 57).