National League One

Blackheath 18

THE enterprise of Rory Teague and a last gasp try from Rob Winchle consigned Blackheath – the oldest rugby club in the world – to only their second home defeat of the season.

Cinderford trailed by six points entering the final quarter.

Some fine defensive kicking from Teague repelled the hosts as they tried to kill the game off. The former Gloucester man also dropped a 66th minute goal.

Two minutes from time Teague made a telling line break to release Rob Winchle, who had the pace to get to the corner and silence the home crowd.

For the first hour Blackheath dominated.

Cinderford kicked off into a strong wind and were pinned back in their 22 for long spells.

Blackheath winger Richard Lankshear touched down in the sixth minute, but Cinderford struck back with a try of their own out of nothing. Nev Codlin fielded a deep kick and ran it back, cutting through the home defence. He off-loaded to the supporting Danny Pointon who went over for a try, with Teague adding the conversion.

A nasty 20th minute injury to Dave McKee halted play, but an Adam Armstrong penalty and a Sam Windsor drop-goal gave the hosts an 11-7 lead.

Cinderford seized the initiative back with an unexpected try from replacement George Evans just before the interval.

Back-row David Allen broke clear to regain the lead for Blackheath, with Armstrong's conversion making it 18-12.

Cinderford continued to work through the phases to set up Teague for his drop-goal.

Blackheath's scrum started to creak in the final 10 minutes and they were shoved off their own ball several times. Prop Yann Thomas was the cornerstone of the Cinderford pack.

It still looked like Blackheath were going to hold on – until Teague spotted a gap in a tiring defence and cut through at pace, before releasing Winchle on a match-winning run to the corner.

Cinderford: Mike Wilcox, Nev Codlin, Simeon James (Dewi Scourfield 78), Rob Winchle, Lloyd Stapleton, Rory Teague, Danny Pointon, Joe Smart (Tom Heard 66), Tom Bozzard (Sam Wilkes 57), Yann Thomas, Ben West, Ed King, Adam Nicholls, Will Foden, Dave McKee (George Evans 20). Rep not used: Ben Draper.