Rosslyn Park 24 Cinderford 7
This National One match went the way of the formbook, with third-placed Rosslyn Park overcoming a spirited performance from third-from-bottom Cinderford to gain a bonus point victory at a chilly Roehampton.
The visitors were led out by number eight George Evans who was making his 200th first-team appearance and they made a strong start.
They put their opponents' scrummage under pressure in the early stages, but they were unable to take advantage on the scoreboard.
Park eventually settled into their stride and opened their account after 15 minutes of play when the ball was quickly recycled, allowing winger Dave Vincent to cross for an unconverted try in the corner.
That lead was increased when a penalty was kicked into touch to set up an attacking lineout and number eight Hugo Ellis completed a catch and drive over the line to score a try which Scott Sneddon converted.
It was 19-0 to Park after 28 minutes when the referee was quick to award a penalty try as pressure was exerted on a five- scrummage, with Sneddon again adding the conversion.
As half-time approached the visitors threatened to score, but a knock-on and then a poor throw at an attacking lineout denied them the opportunity.
Play swung from end to end in the early stages of the second-half before Park flanker Mike McFarlane appeared fortunate to receive only a yellow card following an off the ball challenge on Cinderford winger Alex Frame.
The visitors quickly made their numerical advantage count when scrum-half Clive Stuart-Smith darted over after his forwards took the ball up to their opponents' try line, with James Moffat converting.
Frame had by now recovered but as if to add insult to injury he was denied a try soon afterwards when the officials called play back for a knock-on despite the ball appearing to go forward off a Park player in the build-up.
There was further frustration for Cinderford when another clear scoring opportunity was again called back for an alleged forward pass.
Park recovered their composure in the final quarter and a lengthy spell of pressure eventually led to former Cinderford scrum-half Luke Carter being awarded a try which secured his side's bonus point and completed the scoring.
Rosslyn Park: Nev Edwards, Kiba Richards, Mark Ireland, Paul Mackey, Dave Vincent, Scott Sneddon, Luke Carter, Aaron Liffchak, Tom Woolstencroft, Alex Mackenzie, James Inglis, Richard Boyle, Mike McFarlane, Harry Lundberg, Hugo Ellis. Reps: Adam Bellamy, Alex Lundberg, Will Bowley, Tom Whelan, Charles Broughton.
Cinderford: Mike Wilcox (capt), Alex Frame, Sam Hanks, Leo Fielding, Stefan Hawley, James Moffat, Clive Stuart-Smith, Jack Cosgrove, Sam Wilkes, Chris Bundy, Ed King, Shay Kerry, George Mills, Sam Underhill, George Evans. Reps: Joe Smart, Jack Adams, Marcus Brown, Elliot Booley, Roger Birkin.
Referee: Rob Warburton.
Star Man: James Inglis (Rosslyn Park)
