Cinderford turned around a 15-24 half-time deficit to earn a much needed victory over Esher and keep their National One survival hopes alive.
The home side opened the scoring after just three minutes when winger Nev Codlin was put through for an unconverted try. Esher responded with a try from Tom James, which Ali Chisholm converted, before Chris Eden landed a penalty to put Cinderford back in front.
James scored his second try for the visitors after 14 minutes and they increased their advantage when scrum-half Andy Garner touched down. Sam Hanks scored the home side’s second try, which Eden converted to make 15-17.Then just before half-time Garner went over for his second try and Esher’s bonus point try, which Chisholm converted.
Eden kicked his second penalty soon after the re-start and Cinderford regained the lead after 48 minutes when quick hands put Sam Baker away down the blindside for a try, which Eden converted. Play went from end to end in the next twenty minutes, before Cinderford were awarded a penalty which Eden successfully kicked and four minutes from time he was on target once again.
The home side pressed hard for the bonus point try in the closing stages, but they were unable to cross their opponents line again.
Cinderford; Mike Wilcox (Capt.), Nev Codlin, Josh Adams, Sam Hanks, Sam Baker, Chris Eden, Alex Frame, Derrick Appiah, Tom Bozzard, Elliot Booley, Ed King, Roger Birkin, Adam Balding, George Mills, Matt Lane. Reps: Chris Bundy, Davy McGregor, Milo Reynolds, Lloyd Stapleton, Clive Stuart-Smith.