A remarkable finish saw Mowden take their second win in as many weeks as a late Josh Ree try denied Cinderford a comeback win. A brace from Harry Yates combined with the last minute drama helped DMP to a memorable victory in round 2.

Mowden enjoyed the better of the first half, but they were unable to break down a stubborn Cinderford defence. The hosts took the lead on 10 minutes through the boot of Josh Ree, and thought they’d extended their advantage when Yaree Fantini dived over from a switch drive at the lineout. Play was called back for obstruction however, and the visitors levelled the scores through a Joe Winfield penalty. A second penalty of the half for Ree edged DMP back into the lead, and the scores remained 6-3 at the break.

The second half was a much more entertaining affair. The theme from the first half continued early on when Winfield levelled from the tee, before two quickfire tries swung the game in DMP’s favour. Both were finished by DMP centre Harry Yates, with the first coming after an arcing run from Ree on the left. Yates’ second was well taken after an awkward collision with his own player, with the summer signing reaching out to score under pressure. Ree converted both to extend DMP’s lead to 14. Yates almost had a third minutes later when Callum Mackenzie made a break on the left, but the key pass went to ground.

Just as it looked like Mowden had the game wrapped up with 15 to play, Cinderford roared back into the game. First Nathan Taylor finished a powerful driving maul, before Joe Langbridge finished well from a crossfield kick. Just like that, Mowden’s advantage was wiped out, and Winfield’s conversions levelled the scores. As the clock ticked towards 80 Cinderford were given a chance to win it when Mowden were penalised for crossing, and Winfield pointed to the posts with time in the red. The long range conversion drifted narrowly wide, and Mowden fans could have been forgiven for expecting DMP to kick the ball dead. Joe Craggs fielded the ball deep in his own in-goal area, but decided to run it out from 100+ metres. The Mowden lock found Josh Ree, who in turn fed Ollie Walker after some broken tackles as play approached half way. With plenty of work still to do, Walker found Ree on his inside for the fly half to gallop away and score in the corner for a simply unbelievable try.

A memorable finish to a brilliant game. Mowden’s Ollie Hodgson was awarded Man of the Match honours by match sponsors Lucid Technology Solutions after a tireless display.

Mowden now travel to Blackheath in Round 4, while Cinderford welcome Sale to Dockham Road.