Cinderford were surprisingly beaten at Canterbury, with the home team belying their lowly league status to record a well deserved first victory of the season.
The opening quarter of the match remained scoreless with the defences of both teams well tested and the home side having the better of it territorially. Eventually their pressure told when flanker Will Scholes went over from a driving maul. Soon afterwards Canterbury increased their advantage when winger Ricky Mackintosh intercepted a pass on the half-way line and raced clear to score, with Tom Best converting. This score finally stung Cinderford into action and they quickly responded when Jack Shields put winger Sam Smith away to score a try, which Harry Tovey converted. It was all level at interval when Ed Bogue scored an unconverted try following a strong run from Jack Hayes.
The second-half continued to be evenly balanced, but when Joe Mullis was driven over from an attacking lineout with 15 minutes remaining it appeared Cinderford were beginning to get on top. However, the home team were not going to give up on the chance of a victory and roared on by their vociferous supporters they build up the momentum in the closing stages and a 13 man driving maul towards the try line saw Sam Stirling breakaway to score, with Best landing the conversion. There were only a couple minutes remaining from the re-start and the home team comfortably held on to allow their celebrations to begin.
Cinderford; Ed Sheldon, Sam Smith, Terence Babarinsa, Jack Hayes (Capt), Ed Bogue, Dan Pointon, Jimmy Williams, Ollie Dawe, Sam Baker, Tim Brockett, Jack Shields, Dale Lemon, Matt Lane, Matt Gilbert, Harry Hone. Replacements; James Elliot, Joe Mullis, Chris Bundy, James Dean, Harry Tovey.