Chinnor in charge for superb win on the road
CHINNOR thoroughly deserved their bonuspoint victory as they overcame the challenge of Cinderford.
A knock-on early in the game enabled Cinderford to put some pressure on their opponents, and, when Chinnor conceded a penalty for not rolling away, James Moffat opened the scoring with a well-struck penalty.
The Forest of Dean side continued to press forward, but an interception enabled Chinnor to clear their lines.
However, they were penalised in identical fashion to the previous one and Moffat was again on target with a straightforward kick at goal.
Chinnor responded well and went through the phases before replacement second-row Ben Manning crashed over for a try from close range, which Jonny Bentley converted.
Forwards and backs combined well with strong carries for Chinnor to set up the next try. Prop Nick Bingham, just scrambled over the line, with Bentley again adding the conversion.
Back came Cinderford, however, with George Porter and Kai Little going close before the ball was moved wide for flanker Lewis Beer to step inside and score a try, which Moffat converted to make it 13-14 on the half-hour.
Bentley put over a penalty for Chinnor as the interval approached.
And they scored a cru-
cial try with the last play of the half when they kicked ahead for Kieran Goss to gather up. He put flanker George Oliver over for a try, which Bentley again converted.
Cinderford had an early opportunity to reduce the deficit early in the secondhalf, but Moffat was just off target with a longrange penalty.
Chinnor built up a long spell of pressure, forcing their opponents to concede a couple of penalties at the scrummage before scrumhalf Greg Goodfellow took a quick tap and found Ratu Nawaqaliva in close support.
He forced his way over to earn his team the bonus point, with Bentley again adding the extras.
Cinderford got some momentum into their game and No.8 Harry Hone went over for a try, which Moffat converted.
Though they went close to scoring again in the dying minutes, the ball was knocked on and Chinnor were able to run down the clock and claim their well- deserved victory.