In a game of hugely contrasting halves, Cinderford fought back from a 10-29 deficit at the interval to earn a draw against Henley in a high tempo match that produced ten tries.
The visitors began at a cracking pace and James Comben kicked a penalty before converting a try from Luke Carter. Cinderford finally got their hands on the ball and responded with a well taken try from scrum-half Danny Pointon. Winger Jaryd Robinson crossed for Henley’s second try, before the home side responded through Mike Wilcox.
The Hawks looked to have taken control of the match with two further tries before half-time through Hugo Milford-Scott and a breakaway effort from Ryan Long, both of which were converted by Comben.
The home side were quickly pressing forward at the start of the second-half and Joe Garner had a try disallowed before Alex Frame touched down with Wilcox converting. Chris Hawkins was next to score with Wilcox again converting, before Cinderford went ahead for the first time when George Mills forced his way over from close range. Wilcox landed the conversion and then kicked a penalty to put his team 34-29 in front with 15 minutes to go.
Henley surged back up field and No8 Rob Stapley stole away from an attacking maul to level the scores, but Comben’s conversion attempt hit the upright and came out. Both sides had chances to claim victory in the closing stages but the match finished level with both sides claiming three points.
Man of the match – Mike Wilcox
Cinderford RFC
Stef Hawley, Nev Codlin (Alex Frame 40), Jack Adams, Sam Hanks, Chris Hawkins, Mike Wilcox, Danny Pointon (Clive Stuart-Smith 67), Chris Bundy (Will Davis 52), Tom Bozzard (Finlay Sinclair 52), Elliot Booley, Tom Hicks, Ed King, Joe Garner, George Mills (Marcus Brown 75), George Evans