Blackheath edged out Cinderford in a scrappy encounter on a cold and windy afternoon at the Beavis Memorial ground.

The first-half proved to be a very stop start affair with numerous lengthy delays for scrum re-sets as knock-ons and penalties abounded.  Ben Summers put the visitors ahead with a penalty as his side enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges.  James Moffat had an opportunity to level the scores after 20 minutes of play, but his penalty attempt was blown off target by the wind. Five minutes before the interval the referee awarded Blackheath a disputed penalty try, which Summers converted to give the visitors a 10-0 lead at the interval.

Cinderford opened their account early in the second-half, when Jack Adams touched down in the corner, with Moffat landing an excellent touchline conversion.  Blackheath then produced a long spell of pressure near their opponents try line, which eventually led to centre Markus Burcham crossing for a try, which Summers converted.

Back came Cinderford and it was their turn to be awarded a penalty try, as they drove the visiting eight backwards at a 5m scrum, Moffat converted.  The final ten minutes were keenly contested, but Blackheath held on to claim their victory.

MOTM: Roger Birkin, Cinderford

Cinderford – Mike Wilcox, Alex Frame, Jack Adams, Leo Fielding (Sam Hanks 70), Stef Hawley, Clive Stuart-Smith, Chris Bundy, Luke Cole (Sam Wilkes 70), Jake Caulfield (Jack Cosgrove 50), Roger Birkin (Shay Kerry 49), Ed King, George Mills, Marcus Brown, Dan Fry (George Evans 38)