Cinderford ended a run of three successive defeats with a bonus point victory over London Irish Wild Geese in the first ever meeting between these two sides.
The home side took advantage of some sloppy play by their opponents to open the scoring in the second minute with a try from fly-half Peter Hodgkinson, which he also converted. James Moffat replied with a penalty for Cinderford, and he then converted a well worked try from full-back Eamonn Rees. Irish regained the lead on the half hour when centre Seb Rodwell forced his way over for a try, which Hodgkinson again converted. The visitors quickly responded as they went through the phases to create the space for Will Keenan to touchdown. Moffat was unable to convert, but he was on target with his second penalty soon afterwards to give his side an 18-14 lead at the interval.
Cinderford put their opponents under pressure in the early stages of the second-half and debutant centre Elliot Creed went over for a try under the posts, with Moffat converting. The bonus point try came in the 51st minute when more good approach play saw winger Harrison Yorke go over in fine style, with Moffat again adding the extras. Replacement winger Matt Killeen reduced the deficit for the home side when he crossed for a try wide out, before Moffat landed his third penalty with ten minutes of the game remaining.
Killeen scored his second try when he picked up a loose pass and raced clear through from the half-way line, but despite some late pressure from the Wild Geese, the Cinderford defence held firm to enable them to emerge with a victory.
Cinderford; Eamonn Rees, Harrison Yorke, Elliot Creed, Sam Goatley, Harry Robinson, James Moffat, Jimmy Williams George Porter (Capt.), Will Haly, James Tideswell, Aaron Ryan, Ed King, Will Keenan, Marcus Brown, George Evans.
Replacements; Ciaran Knight, Chris Rovery, Adam Balding, Dan Broady, Alex Frame.