Cinderford RFC returned to winning ways with a victory over Tonbridge Juddians, at The Beavis Memorial Ground.
It was a battle for both teams against the swirling wind, but it was the boot of Cinderford’s Reece Boughton that opened the scoring with a penalty. Boughton’s boot also stood out in open play, with a couple of 50/22s.
This gave the pack a chance to apply serious pressure to the visitors. Ill-discipline forced referee Andy Wigley to award a penalty try to Cinderford, giving them a 10-0 lead.
Tonbridge however, struck back as prop Luke Boon dotted over the line, after an electric break from fullback Harvey Young. An unsuccessful conversion attempt into the wind kept the gap at five points. Another piece of brilliance from Boughton floated a cross field kick to left winger Ed Sheldon, who did well to gather and dive in the corner. Making it 15-5 to the hosts at the interval.
Cinderford failed to secure three restarts in a row, which kept their opponents in all the right places, but a powerful set-piece from Cinderford gave them a great platform to play. Captain Harry Hone then used the go forward scrum to dot down for his first, with Boughton converting. The bonus point score from Hone followed which could be crucial for Cinderford if they want to climb further than fourth in the table.
Tonbridge lock Mark Davey then saw red as he picked up a second yellow card for infringing at the breakdown. After 68 minutes Cinderford’s dominant scrum earned them their second penalty try. The scoring was completed when Jack Preece crossed the whitewash after some patient build-up, with Boughton adding the conversion.
Cinderford; Mike Wilcox, Will Baldwin, Jamie Forrester, George Boulton, Ed Sheldon, Reece Boughton, Mike Austin, George Porter, Sam Baker, James Elliot, Mathew Gilbert, Joe Dancer, Matt Lane, Jack Preece, Harry Hone.
Repls; Tim Brockett, Nathan Taylor, Tyler Jerrum, Will Hendy, Jimmy Williams.