Cinderford will almost certainly need a bonus point victory over Esher in their final match, if they are to survive in National One after this pulsating encounter at Macclesfield.
The visitors made the perfect start to the match when Jack Adams made the space to put Callum Sheedy away for a try under the posts, which he also converted. Macclesfield quickly responded when winger Josh Fowles went over for an unconverted try in the corner, but Cinderford hit back with two tries in quick succession to seemingly put them in control of the match. First to score was George Evans after some good approach work from the forwards, then skipper Mike Wilcox touched down, with Sheedy landing both conversions and a penalty. The home side were in no mood to concede the initiative to their opponents however, as livewire scrum-half Jordan Brookes crossed twice and Ollie Fewtrall also scored, with Tom Eaton kicking two of the conversions to give them a 24-22 lead at the interval.
Leo Fielding sprinted clear to score the bonus point try for Cinderford early in the second half, with Sheedy kicking the conversion and then landing his second penalty. Rhodri Mayor replied with a fifth try for Macclesfield, before Cinderford finally made sure of victory when they were awarded a penalty try, then replacement hooker Sam Wilkes touched down following a lineout catch and drive.
Cinderford team: Mike Wilcox (capt), Stef Hawley, Sam Hanks, Jack Adams, Leo Fielding, Callum Sheedy, Danny Pointon, Chris Bundy, Luke Cole, Elliot Booley, Ed King, Milo Reynolds, Roger Birkin, George Mills, George Evans
Replacements: Joe Smart, Sam Wilkes, Sam Underhill, Alex Frame, Rob Winchle