Cinderford got their National One season off to a good start with a bonus point victory at Cambridge.

Playing some high energy rugby the visitors scored three excellent tries in the opening 30 minutes through Nevaro Codlin, Mike Wilcox and Lloyd Stapleton with Mark Davies landing one conversion.

Cambridge kept in touch with a try from Bryn Jenkins and two penalties from Elliot Bale to make it 17-11 at the interval.

Stapleton soon went over for his second try after then re-start , which secured the bonus point ,with Davies adding the conversion.

Back came Cambridge and their captain Gareth McComb went over under the posts, with Bale converting.

Davies kept the scoreboard ticking for Cinderford with two penalties, but the home side set up a tense finish to the match when Jarryd Taylor touched down.

Deep into injury time the home side moved the ball wide and looked to be away for a try in the corner to at least draw the match, but a terrific last-ditch tackle from Wilcox saw the ball knocked on and Cinderford were able to celebrate a rare opening day victory.

Cinderford;  Wilcox, Codlin, Adams, Winchle, Stapleton, Davies, Arnott, Brooks, Bozzard, Heard, West, McKee, Nicholls, Foden (Capt.), Garner.

Replacements; Smart, Woodward, Evans, Frame, Caven.