Mowden take losing bonus point from trip to Dockham Road.

With the game somewhat in doubt midweek due to an envisaged influx of rain to add to an already heavy pitch, it was no surprise to Mowden, that when the game was confirmed and they arrived at Cinderford’s Beavis Memorial HQ, that the pitch was a tad heavy and would definitely suit the heavier home pack.

The games between the two sides ever since the play-off game ‘way back when’ have always been close contests and yesterday was no exception.

However, with Mowden 14 – 7 up and in the ascendancy, they collectively conspired to allow the home side back into the game, metaphorically gifting Cinderford four points, whilst collecting only a losing bonus point for their efforts.

The game yesterday started so promisingly for the visitors, when after only two minutes had elapsed, full back Chris McTURK broke clear and with only the full back to beat, chipped over the defender, winning the foot race to the bouncing ball, which he collected, dotting down near the posts. (0 – 5)

Mowden fly half Warren SEALS made no mistake with the easy conversion. (0 – 7)

Cinderford responded soon after, with a set play from a lineout, allowing enough space in the defence for home winger Samuel SMITH to cut a great line, scoring the try near to the posts without much- defensive interference from the North East outfit. (5 – 7)

Home fly half George BARTON, grateful for the ease of the conversion, levelled the scores at 7 – 7.

That was how it remained until oranges, during which time both sides tested each others’ defences, which held up well. Both sides experienced lineout problems during that time and the scrummages were fairly even, with the heavier home pack having some success in the mauls, but too far out to cause any danger to the visitor’s line.

The first half had its fair share of scrums that all appeared to absorb so much game time and whilst a safe engagement is always of paramount importance, the delay between each constituent part of the scrum was too long from the young official.

On resumption of play Mowden again scored early on, when after only three minutes of the restart, Warren SEALS sliced through the home defence and get going to the line for an excellent individual score, (7 – 12) which he converted himself. (7 – 14)

With some end to end play after this, it was Mowden who looked the more able to push on and add to their tally, as the Cinderford pack slowed.

In an attack, Mowden passed the ball along the line on the half way, when a stray pass found an opposition player and Cinderford’s giant centre William MANSFIELD ran in the try unopposed, (12 – 14) and with BARTON successful with the extras, the scores were again level. (14 – 14)

The interception seemed to have a detrimental effect on the visitors, who out of frustration racked up a number of mistakes which heralded needless penalties, two of which were in kickable distance for BARTON,(20 – 14), being the difference in the game, the last success bringing the final whistle and disappointment for the visitors who had ‘snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.’

Not forgetting the winners and all credit must go to Cinderford, who stuck in to the end and ultimately took their chances, stealing the game ‘fair and square’.