MAIDENHEAD 32

CHELTENHAM 27

Cheltenham's first game back after the Christmas break could not have been tougher, writes Derek Clifford.

They were away to second-placed Maidenhead, who beat them narrowly at the start of the season,

Sadly for Cheltenham, it was the home side who edged out the league leaders in this enthralling nine-try feast of competitive rugby.

After 22 minutes, it was Cheltenham who opened the scoring with wing Richard Morris finishing off an eight-phase move with the try and Josh Herbert added the touch-line conversion.

But such was the nature of this compelling game the home side hit back within six minutes with scrum-half Elliott Brown splitting the Cheltenham defensive cover for the try, with Dave Hodgson adding the extras.

Shortly after the restart Maidenhead's try-scorer Brown was yellow-carded and from the tap penalty Cheltenham's Ben Hough capped a fine performance with a good try near the posts, with the boot of Herbert making the score 14-7 after 33 minutes.

Maidenhead are a tough no-nonsense side and they soon hit back with an unconverted try by way of prop Jamie Townsend.

Despite a prolonged attack, Cheltenham held a 14-12 lead at the half-time break.

Cheltenham started the second half by losing second row Phil Liebrandt when he received a yellow card from referee James Gregory.

Maidenhead soon utilised the man advantage with lock Mark Muller crashing over for a unconverted try as Maidenhead took a 17-14 lead after 44 minutes.

Despite being down to 14 men, Cheltenham laid siege to the Maidenhead line and gained some reward for their efforts with a Herbert penalty to level the scores at 17-17.

Maidenhead regained the lead  after 58 minutes when home captain Simon Cripps scored a fine try, with Hodgson adding the conversion.

Cheltenham never gave up and after nine phases winger Hamish Wrafter scored the unconverted try.

It followed an attacking run from Cheltenham's man of the match Mark Whitney.

With 74 minutes played Maidenhead extended their lead to 32-22 when Cripps cut in from of his wing for a well worked try with Hodgson converting.

But despite being up against it Cheltenham never gave up.

A try from captain Charles Daniell two minutes from time set up a grandstand climax to this enthralling game.

However, Maidenhead hung on to the lead to narrow the gap at the top of South West One East to only two points.

Cheltenham will look to regain winning form at home to  Coney Hill on Saturday.