Leaders crumble as Cinderford salvage draw

CINDERFORD recovered from a 22-7 deficit at halftime to earn themselves a draw against league leaders Blackheath.

In a dramatic conclusion, Blackheath’s Aaron Ryan was red-carded for an off-the-ball incident but Mark Cooke almost won it with a drop-goal, only to see it fall wide.

The visitors made all the early running and fly-half Cooke soon opened their account with a penalty, awarded for offside, from in front of the posts.

Blackheath kept up the pressure and they recycled the ball through numerous phases before prop Tom Williams forced his way over for a try from close range, with Cooke on target with the conversion.

The home side quickly responded however when Liam Hemming made a clean break through the opposition defensive line before offloading to winger Sam Smith who scored under the posts, with Hemming adding the conversion.

Having got themselves back in the match, Cinderford then gifted possession back to their opponents from the re-start and second-row Neale Patrick crashed over for an unconverted try.

A third try soon followed for Blackheath scored by winger Craig Dowsett, which Cooke converted and at that stage of the match the visitors looked well in control at 22-7 ahead.

As half-time approached Cinderford were guilty of wasting a great chance to

score and it remained unchanged at the interval.

Cinderford took full advantage of an extra man after a Blackheath sin-bin by scoring two converted tries in a four-minute spell to come right back into it.

First of all hooker Nathan Taylor finished a lineout catch and drive with Hemming adding the extras before Stef Hawley’s chip ahead was gathered up by Hemming and he released Ewan Fenley to score under the posts.

The match was then delayed following a serious looking injury to visiting hooker Mike Perks.

Ryan was then shown a red card and Cinderford gradually moved back up field, with Hemming levelled the scores with a penalty before Cooke missed the chance to win it.