Cinderford completed the ‘great escape’ with a bonus point victory, their fourth in a row, over Esher ensuring they remain in National League One next season.
The home side were quickly into their stride and Callum Sheedy’s grubber kick ahead was excellently gathered up by winger Stef Hawley, who scored in the corner. Five minutes later he repeated the feat, with Sheedy this time converting well from the touchline.
Cinderford continued to dominate and a third try came after a quickly taken penalty saw Leo Fielding burst through for a try, with Sheedy again on target with the conversion.
More excellent approach play from the forwards, saw Cinderford get the all important bonus point score after just 30 minutes when second-row Milo Reynolds touched down, with Sheedy landing the extras. Esher finally got their hands on the ball and they went through the phases to create an unconverted try for winger Harry Lightfoot-Brown, to make the half-time score 26-5.
Five minutes into the second-half Cinderford scored a fifth try when Sheedy’s chip ahead was caught by Jack Adams, and he went over under the posts for another converted try. The visitors came much more into the game in the time remaining with Mickey Wilson scoring a try and Lightfoot-Brown adding his second, with Ali Chisholm landing both conversions.
Cinderford however were not to be denied and they closed out the match fairly comfortably to secure their National One status for on eighth season.
Cinderford team: Mike Wilcox (capt), Stef Hawley, Sam Hanks, Jack Adams, Leo Fielding, Callum Sheedy, Alex Frame, Chris Bundy, Luke Cole, Elliot Booley, Ed King, Milo Reynolds, George Mills, Sam Underhill, George Evans
Replacements all used: Joe Smart, Sam Wilkes, Roger Birkin, Dan Pointon, Rob Winchle