STOURBRIDGE 18 CINDERFORD 25

CINDERFORD hung on in a thrilling finale to claim a crucial SSE National League One win in a gritty contest.

The Foresters looked to be in control at half-time, 25-8 up with their pack well on top and punishing Stourbridge errors and indecision.

Cinderford pegged Stourbridge back in their 22 early on but when the hosts were penalised for going over the top, fly-half Rory Teague could not put the kick over.

He popped the next one over as the Foresters reaped their reward for some sterling defence with Stourbridge penalised for holding on.

The visitors sustained the pressure with some great work from the back row and when Stourbridge were pinged for not rolling away, Teague slotted the penalty.

Stourbridge were driven backwards at a rate of knots at two scrums and Cinderford number eight George Evans used his strength to burrow over.

Teague's conversion rebounded off the upright.

Stourbridge unleashed their first attack of note with winger Jamie Hearn taking them close to the 22 but the final pass was low and fumbled.

Their breakthrough finally came when the ball was spun through the hands of Olly Frost, Tom Jarvis and Matt Williams to Nathan Bressington, who handed-off the last man to dance over.

Cinderford's robust response saw them patiently pick and go to within metres of the home line and when the hosts infringed, they took the scrum.

With the home pack scuttling backwards, the referee gave a penalty try which Teague converted.

Hearn posted a penalty to cut the gap to 18-8 but on the stroke of half-time their hooker's spillage was collected by Foresters centre Simeon James, who raced through the middle to score.

Teague's conversion gave them a 25-8 advantage.

Cinderford's pack were given a dose of their own medicine five minutes into the second half, as they were pushed back over their own line by a powerful rolling maul with flanker Tom Leach grounding the ball for an unconverted try.

Stourbridge turned up the heat and after a powerful burst by lock Robbie Hurrell, they looked to rumble a penalty lineout but Cinderford had the measure of them.

Cinderford did not help themselves with some unforced errors and they were made to pay as Stourbridge put together a pacy attack finished off by Hearn.

He failed to convert but the deficit was now only 25-18.

Stourbridge were now stretching Cinderford's defence and as they struggled to contain their hosts, centre Robbie Winchle found himself in the sin-bin.

Prop Tom Heard quickly followed him in there as the penalty count mounted but Cinderford defended like dervishes to keep the marauders out.

A fine tackle by James on Hearn was vital with an overlap begging and the Foresters' determination paid dividends as Stourbridge lost possession to leave Cinderford clinging on to the spoils.

STOURBRIDGE: M Williams, N Bressington, T Jarvis, C Reakes, J Hearne, S Robinson, O Frost, A Sturdy, L Wordley, A Lawrence, B Hughes, R Hurrell, J Garner, T Leach, A Rovira. Reps: T Richardson, N Baker, J Page, M Hill, D Harper.

CINDERFORD: M Wilcox, N Codlin, R Winchle, S James, L Stapleton, R Teague, D Pointon, Y Thomas, S Wilkes, T Heard, B West, E King, A Nicholls, W Foden, G Evans. Reps: J Smart, L Carter, T Bozzard, D Trigg, L Allen.

REFEREE: R Kelly (RFU appointment)

STAR MAN: Ben West.