Cinderford were just edged out by Canterbury in a highly entertaining end of season National League 2 South encounter.
In warm and sunny conditions both sides committed to running the ball at every opportunity and it was the visitors who opened the scoring after nine minutes when scrum-half Alex Frame darted over from close range, with James Moffat landing the conversion. The home side responded immediately when their opponents failed to retain possession from the re-start and winger Piers Richardson went over for a try, which Tom Best converted.
Cinderford regained the lead when Will Keenan forced his way over, but Best landed two penalties in quick succession to edge his team back in front. Moffat replied with a penalty, before converting an interception try from winger Harrison Yorke. An unconverted try from Canterbury’s Max Howard right on the half-time whistle made it 18-20 at the interval.
Richardson and then Yorke both crossed for their second tries in the early stages of the second-half, with Moffat landing his conversion. Will Farris restored the lead for the home team with their bonus point try, but Moffat levelled the scores at 30-30 with his second penalty after 68 minutes. It was frantic end to end rugby in the closing stages, but Best on target with his third penalty and that proved to enough to earn Canterbury their victory.
Cinderford; James Moffat, Harrison Yorke, Sam Goatley, Al Bryan, Will Baldwin, Dan Pointon, Alex Frame, Joe Smart (Capt.), Will Haly, James Tideswell, Jack Shields, Dale Lemon, Dan Broady, Will Keenan, Aaron Ryan.
Replacements; George Porter, Sam Baker, Marcus Brown, Eamonn Rees, Reuben Hinds.