Cinderford’s magnificent seven wins

CINDERFORD overcome a slow start to eventually overwhelm Leeds Tykes 50-12 and make it seven wins from seven at the start of the National League One season.

The Gloucestershire side have a four-point advantage over the Rams, who edged past Bishop’s Stortford 21-19, and a further point ahead of Rosslyn Park, who beat Sale FC 20-15.

On their first visit to Cinderford, Leeds raced into a surprise 12-0 lead. Wing Harry Jukes grabbed the opening score, which went unconverted, before Charlie Morgan ran in under the posts, allowing Charlie Venables to add the extras.

The Foresters, however, kept their cool and pinned the Tykes in their own 22.

Man of the match Joe Dancer got the home side on the board, and Reece Boughton converted his own try to tie the game at 12 points apiece.

Boughton then kicked a penalty to give the hosts a half-time lead.

The second half was a different story, however. Liam Hemming put Mike Wilcox in for another converted score, and Hemming himself notched the bonus point try on 54 minutes.

With that the floodgates opened and Cinderford added further tries via Will Baldwin, George Boulton and Will Hendy, all of which were expertly converted by Boughton.

Taunton Titans, meanwhile, were without a game as original opponents Old Elthamians pulled out of the league before the start of the campaign.

The Somerset side will return to action at Cinderford this weekend.

Hartpury were also without a game as the Greene King IPA Championship took a break.

In National League Two South, Morgan Thompson’s conversion late on saw Old Albanian edge to a 33-32 victory at Clifton.

Thompson and Chris West had earlier put the visitors ahead, but the home side hit back through Zak Hamid and Ricky Cano, both converted by Jac Lloyd.

West then put Old Albanian back in front before Bentley Halpin ensured it was 19-all at the half-time break.

Niall Gibbons touched down to give Clifton the advantage early in the second period, but Daniel Watt replied for the away side.

Lloyd then struck consecutive penalties to put Clifton within sight of victory, but Old Albanian refused to lie down and Watt ran in a late score that Thompson converted to give the visitors the win by a single point.

Elsewhere, Dings Crusaders also suffered a narrow defeat as they went down 22-17 away to Rochford Hundred.

Dings are now eighth in the table with 19 points, while Clifton are fifth with 22.

Worthing lead the way with 31 points, while Redruth have 28 and a game in hand.