Former British Lion and Welsh No8 Andy Powell played 50 minutes of this pre-season friendly as his new club Merthyr overcame Cinderford in entertaining encounter.
A penalty try awarded to Merthyr proved to be the only score during the opening 30 minutes Dan McNamara landing the conversion. The second 30 minute session saw the visitors open up a 21-0 lead with further converted tries from Dan Parry and Nathan Brewer, before Cinderford hit back with scores from Ben Penfold and Sam Hanks, with Penfold landing both conversions to make it 21-14 to the visitors.
In the final 20 minute session Hanks went over for his second try, with Penfold again converting to level up the scores. Five minutes from time Merthyr got the decisive score with a well taken try from Rhys Walker, which Dean Gunter converted.
Cinderford starting XV: Stefan Hawley, Harrison Yorke, Rob Winchle, Alex Jackson, Robson Skipsey, James Moffat, Jimmy Williams, Will Goodrick-Clarke, Sam Baker, Francisco Bruno, Milo Reynolds, Will Scholes, George Mills (capt), Sid Blackmore, Jack Shields.