Rams edged out Cinderford in a highly entertaining match between two excellent teams that saw 12 tries scored. Just before half-time the visitors were leading 26-7, with their try bonus point already secured and seemingly heading for a comfortable victory, but the home staged a remarkable recovery to almost cause an upset.
Andy Humberstone opened the scoring for Rams after just five minutes with a try from close range, which Alex Seers converted. Cinderford responded with a try from Matt Gilbert, which Paul Morgan converted to level the scores. After this the visitors took control and tries followed from Connor Corrigan, Jack Steadman and Tom Vooght, with Seers landing two of the conversions to see them well placed as half-time approached. Home centre Terence Babarinsa reduced the deficit in injury time when he scored an unconverted try.
Cinderford were much improved In the second-half and when hooker Sam Baker scored early on, with Morgan converting they were right back in it. However, when they attacked again a loose pass was gathered up by Corrigan and he beat the cover defence with a kick ahead and chase for his second try, again converted by Seers. Jack Reeves then scored Cinderford’s bonus point try, but once again the visitors responded when replacement Connor Hayhow scored his team’s sixth try, with Seers adding the extras. A brace of tries from home No8 George Evans, both of which were converted by Morgan then set-up a grandstand finish to the match, but Rams held firm in the closing stages to claim their victory.
Cinderford; Ed Sheldon, Will Baldwin, Terence Babarinsa, Jack Reeves, Sam Smith, Paul Morgan, Jimmy Williams, Joe Smart, Sam Baker, James Elliot, Jack Shields, Dale Lemon (Capt.), Matt Gilbert, Matt Bennett, George Evans. Replacements; Tim Brockett, Nick English, Ethan Hunt, George Angell, Dan Nicholls.
For highlights of the match visit https://www.ncarugby.com/