National League One

Rosslyn Park 36

FOR the second week running, Cinderford were involved in a high scoring thriller.

At half-time they looked dead and buried, trailing 24-3, but another second half revival saw them snatch the lead with five minutes to go – only for Park to score a last gasp converted try for a share of the points.

The home side controlled much of the first half and ran in tries through Hugo Ellis, Neville Edwards and Matt Heeks, all of which were converted by Ross Laidlaw, who also kicked a penalty.

Cinderford's only points came from an excellent Mark Davies penalty.

The second half brought a shift in power.

Cinderford were awarded a penalty try when Lloyd Stapleton was tripped to deny him a score.

Jack Adams touched the ball down, but the penalty-try had already been given.

Stapleton got the try he deserved after Park failed to deal with a ball in their own 22. It bounced nicely for the chasing Cinderford attackers, who worked it wide for Stapleton to score in the corner. Another Davies conversion made it 24-17.

Park hooker Joe Clark went over for his side's bonus point try in the 63rd minute, but Cinderford hit back with a three-try salvo to take the lead while home player Hugo Ellis was in the sin-bin.

Adam Nicholls was first to go over, then Jack Adams charged down a kick and raced in. Two more Davies conversions made it 29-29.

A perfectly executed move from a line-out inside Park's 22 enabled Nev Codlin to burst through for what appeared to be the winning score, with Davies adding the extras.

However, there was yet another twist to a pulsating game.

Park launched a desperate attack and gained a penalty inside Cinderford's 22. Laidlaw kicked for the corner and the forwards surged on from the line-out, before Ellis dived in at the corner.

There was massive pressure on Laidlaw to land the difficult touchline conversion, but he showed immense skill and character to fire the ball between the uprights.

Cinderford: Stefan Hawley, Nev Codlin, Jack Adams, Rob Winchle, Lloyd Stapleton, Mark Davies, Sam Arnott, James Brooks, Tom Bozzard, Nick Selway, Ben West, Dave McKee, Adam Nicholls, Will Foden (capt), Joe Garner. Reps: Leigh Green, Stuart Bailey, George Evans, Sam Caven, Alex Frame.