Cinderford overcome a difficult opening to secure a 53–31 victory over Loughborough Students in an entertaining National League Two West encounter, writes Jules Evans.

Cinderford were quickly 0-14 down but responded with a Kyle Harris try.

Sam Smith then added another after a powerful run down the right-hand side saw him finish in the corner.

Another Loughborough try made it 21-10 after 18 minutes.

Prop Ollie Johnson provided an important score, with Joe Winfield adding the conversion, before a clever kick through opened the door for Cormac Saint.

The scrum-half raced onto the ball to score and Winfield converted again as Cinderford took the lead for the first time.

Winfield then made a telling contribution of his own, intercepting in midfield before racing clear to the line.

He converted his own try as Cinderford completed a remarkable turnaround to lead 31–21 at half-time.

Cinderford almost extended their advantage immediately after the restart.

A kick-through produced a race for the ball beyond the try line, but Loughborough recovered well and it was the Students who scored next.

Cinderford's response was immediate. Rio Ebanks crossed for the home side and Winfield's conversion moved Cinderford further ahead.

Loughborough refused to go away and, following another lineout, drove towards a congested Cinderford try line.

Loughborough made it 38-32 but from that point Cinderford took control.

Jacob Perkins scored from a maul, converted by Winfield and Smith claimed his secon

A Winfield penalty competed a 53–31 victory for Cinderford.

Cinderford Director of Rugby Clive Stuart-Smith said: “We were very slow to start.

“Thankfully we found our rhythm and built our way back into the game with some very good decision-making coupled with moments of individual brilliance.

“We were far more positive on the ball and fixed a number of system issues from last week.”