Cinderford made it five wins from five matches played so far this season with a victory over Tonbridge Juddians in a match that was played in truly appalling conditions at The Slade.
Despite the awful weather the match was a well contested and intense affair that remained in the balance until Will Baldwin’s late try settled it in the Forest side’s favour. The visitors conceded a series of penalties in the early stages and home outside-half Tom White put his 6-0 ahead with two successful kicks at goal. The Cinderford forwards were putting their opponents under pressure in the scrummage however and after a couple of attempts at a pushover try were halted illegally by TJ’s the referee awarded them a penalty try. White regained the lead for the home team with his third penalty and the score remained 9-7 at the interval.
The second-half began with the relentless driving rain now in Cinderford’s favour, but it was White who soon stretched the home side’s advantage with his fourth penalty. With ball now resembling a ‘bar of soap’ mistakes abounded from both teams but the visitors continued to put TJ’s under pressure in the scrummage and Liam Hemming was able to land three penalties to put his team 16-12 ahead as the match entered it closing stages. The home side launched one final attack but could not find a way through and a knock-on enabled Cinderford to clear their lines, before some tremendous handling created the space for Baldwin to cross for the winning score.
Cinderford; Mike Wilcox, Will Baldwin, Jamie Forester, George Boulton, Will Hendy, Liam Hemmings, Mike Austin, George Porter, Nathan Taylor, James Elliot, Tyler Jerrum, Jack Shields, Matt Lane, Jack Preece, Harry Hone.
Repls; Tim Brockett, Sam Baker, Matt Gilbert, Aaron Ryan, Reece Boughton.