A strong second-half performance from Cinderford saw them emerge as comfortable winners in their opening National League 2 (South) of the new season away at Canterbury.
The first-half was evenly contested with the home side opening the scoring after 12 minutes when outside-half Ollie Best scored and converted his own well taken try. The visitors soon levelled the scores, when the referee awarded them a penalty try as they put their opponents under pressure at a 5m scrum. James Moffat gave Cinderford the lead with a penalty before he converted a try from No8 Harry Hone. Canterbury reduced the arrears on the stroke of half-time when prop Aaron Cooper went over for an unconverted try.
The second-half began with the home side breaking clear to claim a try, but they were called back for a knock-on and from the resulting scrum Cinderford moved the ball wide to winger Reuben Norville who crossed for a try, which Moffat converted. Canterbury narrowed the gap once again to 24-17, when scrum-half Dan Smart touched down, but after this Cinderford took control, scoring three more tries.
Norville scored his second in fine style, when he fielded an attempted clearance kick and set off on a great run through the home defence to score, then the impressive Hone completed his double, from a lineout catch and drive. The visitors wrapped up the game in the closing stages with a sixth try scored by replacement prop Joe Smart.
Cinderford; James Moffat, Kai Little, Terence Babarinsa, Jack Hayes, Reuben Norville, Liam Hemming, Jimmy Williams, George Porter(Capt.), Nathan Taylor, James Elliot, George Evans, Dale Lemon, Jack Shields, Lewis Beer, Harry Hone.
Replacements; Joe Smart, Tim Brockett, Aaron Ryan, Matt Lane, Alex Frame.