National League One

Richmond 20

A BRAVE display from Richmond looked like earning them a shock victory at Dockham Road, until a last-gasp try from man of the match George Evans – converted by Mark Davies – salvaged a share of the spoils.

The Foresters left out regular second-row Ed King and opted to play back-row man Luke Allen instead.

It put added pressure on Ben West, but the Cinderford line-out still functioned and Allen gave the side an extra dimension around the field.

Cinderford trailed 20-13 at the break but the second half turned into a war of attrition.

Richmond lost three forwards to the sin bin in the second half – one for foul play and two for technical offences – yet still put the home side under immense pressure. Playing the last 10 minutes with just 13 men on the field they eventually buckled and George Evans forced his way over for the crucial match-saving score. Mark Davies held his nerve to land a good conversion.

On a heavy pitch both sides struggled to hold on to the ball throughout. The visitors scored first – while George Evans was in the sin-bin for a ninth minute offence – with a penalty from Louis Grimoldy.

From the restart Richmond broke clear and winger James Greenwood touched down in the corner, with Grimoldy converting.

Mark Davies kicked a penalty for Cinderford before Luke Allen – pressed into action in the second-row – gathered up the ball from a line-out on the 22m line and charged over virtually unopposed for a try which Davies converted.

Back came Richmond with a second penalty from Grimoldy and a converted try from Chris Davies, who forced himself over from a line-out catch and drive.

Just before the interval Davies landed his second penalty.

Cinderford: Mike Wilcox, Nev Codlin, Jack Adams, Rob Winchle, Sam Caven (Lloyd Stapleton 51), Mark Davies, Sam Arnott, Joe Smart, Tom Bozzard (Stuart Bailey 51), Tom Heard (Nick Selway 64), Ben West, Luke Allen, Joe Garner, Will Foden (capt), George Evans. Reps not used: Stuart Bailey, Ben Sparks, Stefan Hawley.