A strong second-half performance from Cinderford earned them a bonus point victory over Esher in testing conditions at Dockham Road.
The home side had the advantage of the elements in the first-half and it turned into a real battle of attrition between two strong packs, with the defensive qualities of both teams tested to the full. Cinderford lost flanker Aaron Ryan to the sin-bin after 23 minutes for a technical infringement and they kept the visitors at bay before he returned to the field to score the opening try of the match from a lineout catch and drive, which was well converted from the touchline by Dan Pointon.
Both team’s defences continued to dominate as the second-half progressed, but it was Cinderford who were gradually building up some momentum and when the ball was moved quickly down the blindside from a scrum centre Jack Hayes raced through to score, with Pointon adding the conversion. More controlled approach play from the home forwards created their next score when another well executed driving maul resulted in a try for replacement Matthew Bennett.
As the game entered its closing stages a 5m scrum saw Cinderford secure their bonus point and a third victory in a row as they pushed their opponents back over the line for Aaron Ryan to score his second try, which was again converted by Pointon.
Cinderford; Alex Frame, Sam Smith, Jack Hayes, George Boulton, Reuben Norville, Dan Pointon, Toby Dabell, George Porter (Capt.), Tom Bozzard, James Elliot, Jack Shields, Dale Lemon, Aaron Ryan, Dan Broady, Harry Hone.
Replacements; Tim Brockett, Nathan Taylor, George Evans, Matthew Bennett, Ed Bogue.