Coventry just managed to survive a second-half fight back from Cinderford to claim a bonus point victory in an enthralling match.

Nev Codlin opened the scoring for the home side with a try, after Rob Winchle intercepted, which Mark Davies converted.  The visitors quickly hit back however when scrum-half Louis Silver scored a well taken try, which Cliffie Hodgson converted.

A kick ahead bounced kindly to enable Winchle to put Cinderford back in front, with Davies adding the conversion. Coventry then took control of the match with a three try burst before half-time, with Robert Knox, Hodgson and Mark Kohler all going over, Hodgson landing all three conversions to make it 14-28 at half-time.

Now playing into the wind, Cinderford were soon pressing forward and hooker Tom Bozzard went over for an unconverted try from a lineout catch and drive.  Hodgson replied with a penalty for the visitors, before Harry Casson went over for Cinderford’s bonus point try to make it 24-31, after 65 minutes.

The home side continued to pound away at the visitors line and after being twice held up, Bozzard emerged with the ball to claim his second try, which crucially was again unconverted and Coventry held on to take the victory.

MOTM — Tom Bozzard

Cinderford RFC – Mike Wilcox, Sam Baker, Jack Adams, Rob Winchle ©, Nev Codlin (Stef, Hawley h/t), Mark Davies, Clive Stuart –Smith (Reece Boughton 65), Will Davis, Tom Bozzard, Elliot Booley (Tom Heard 62), Ed King, Harry Casson, Roger Birkin, Will Keenan, Adam Balding (Joe Garner h/t)
Unused rep: Lee Fortey