Cinderford just managed to hold on for a single point victory over Worthing, in an enthralling match between two sides battling to move out of the National One relegation zone.

The visitors were on top for much of the first-half and scored tries through Kiernan Leeming, Ollie Richards and Dan Sargent, all of which were converted by Joe Govett.  Cinderford replied with a penalty from Mark Davies, and tries from Clive Stuart-Smith and Sam Baker who scored just before the interval.

Govett extended Worthing’s lead to 24-13 with a penalty early in the second-half before Cinderford began to turn the game around.
Koree Britton was driven for a try from a lineout, before Mike Wilcox gathered a chip ahead for the bonus point score, with the conversion from Davies putting the home ahead for the first time in the match.

More pressure on the visitors eventually brought a second try for Stuart-Smith, which Davies converted for an eight-point lead. There was still time for Worthing to score again and set up a tense finish when replacement Jordan Burns went over, with Govett converting, but Cinderford had just done enough.

Man of the match – Adam Balding.

Cinderford RFC
Mike Wilcox, Nev Codlin, Jack Adams, Robbie Winchle, Sam Baker, Mark Davies, Clive Stuart-Smith, Chris Bundy (Will Davis 66), Koree Britton (Tom Bozzard (66), Elliot Booley, Tom Hicks, Ed King, Adam Balding, Marcus Brown, George Evans
Unused replacements: Lance Randall, Danny Pointon, Stef Hawley