Promotion chasing Rams saw off the challenge of Cinderford to pick up a bonus point victory to ensure that the race for the National One title will go down to the wire. In front of a bumper crowd of 1284 the match certainly delivered producing ten tries along with a 19-14 scoreline in each half which also saw the visitors pick up a try scoring bonus point.
The early stages of the game were evenly contested, but some unforced errors from Cinderford enabled Rams to break clear and score tries through James Mcrae, Ollie Cole and Axel Kalling-Smith, with Andy Humberstone landing two of the conversions to put the hosts 19-0 ahead after 25 minutes of play. However, the visitors ended the half strongly and they got themselves right back into the contest with tries from Nathan Taylor and George Porter, who was making his 150th appearance for Cinderford, with Mike Austin landing both conversions.
The second half developed in identical fashion to the first as Cinderford did all the early pressing only for the hosts to breakaway up field with Kalling-Smith scoring his second try. Further tries followed for the league leaders from Nwachukwu Moyne and Connor Stapley, with Humberstone landing both conversions to put the outcome of the match beyond doubt. Once again though Cinderford showed plenty of heart and scored two tries in the closing stages, with a second for Taylor and Mike Wilcox, both of which were converted by Austin.
Cinderford; Reece Dunn, Will Baldwin, Jamie Forrester, George Boulton, Mason Tonks, Mike Wilcox, Mike Austin, George Porter, Nathan Taylor, Shaun Knight, Dan Hodge, Tyler Jerrum, Matt Lane, Joe Mullis, Harry Hone (Capt.)
Repls; Harry Edwards, Tim Brockett, Will Haly, Jonny Holliday, Jimmy Williams.
*Picture supplied by Rams FC, George Porter scoring on his 150th appearance