Cinderford made it 22 wins in a row with a bonus point victory over Taunton Titans in a highly entertaining encounter that saw nine tries scored.

The home side opened the scoring after just three minutes when a strong run by centre Ed Bogue created the opportunity for winger Reuben Norville to go over for an unconverted try. Taunton responded with a try by Aron Struminski, which Gary Kingdom converted, before James Moffat put Cinderford back in front with a penalty.

Matt Lane’s offload in the tackle put Bogue away to score the league leaders second try, with Moffat landing the conversion, but Taunton quickly hit back when Brett Harvey scored a well taken try, which Kingdom converted. The home side scored two more tries before the interval, No8 Harry Hone going over from a lineout catch and drive, with Moffat converting and the bonus point was secured when Norville outpaced the cover defence to grab his second. Kingdom landed a penalty for the visitors on the stroke of half-time to make it 27-17 at the interval.

Taunton came right back into contention early in the second-half when prop James Kenny scored his team’s third try, which Kingdom again converted. Cinderford gradually regained control however with second-row Dale Lemon forcing his way over from close range to take his team past 1000 points scored in the season, then Hone went over for his second after more good approach play from the home forwards, with Moffat landing both conversions.

Cinderford; Alex Frame, Kai Little, Ed Bogue, Rob Winchle, Reuben Norville, James Moffat, Jimmy Williams, George Porter (Capt.), Nathan Taylor, James Elliot, Jack Shields, Dale Lemon, Matt Lane, Matt Bennett, Harry Hone.

Replacements; Joe Smart, Tim Brockett, Roger Birkin, Terence Babarinsa, Dan Pointon.