Cheltenham 30
Witney 25
Cheltenham are safe from relegation, writes Derek Clifford.
They played A40 rivals Witney knowing nothing other than a four-try victory would be enough to keep their place in the South West One East league.
They also had to hope the other scores went their way.
And after several minutes at the end of the game it was confirmed that Bletchley had taken a 66-5 beating at the hands of champions Bracknell to the relief of all the Cheltenham players and supporters.
With four minutes played of the final league game of the season it was Cheltenham's Taku Mandiwanza who opened the scoring with a well-worked unconverted try.
Cheltenham gained turnover ball from the restart and after a break deep into the Witney half by Mark Whitney the ball was shipped out to Mandiwanza to score his second try with Olly Clements converting to lead 12-0.
Witney shook of this early set back by reducing the arrears to 12-3 when Henry Lamb kicked a penalty.
Cheltenham soon extended their lead after first captain Tom Lait then hooker John Bryant drove the deep into Witney half where Mandiwanza scored his hat-trick try which went unconverted to lead 17-3.
Witney came back again went Rhys Morgan caught the Cheltenham defence wanting for the try converted by Lamb.
Just before the half time break whistle Witney were reduced to 14 men when Matt Clarke received a yellow card from referee Fred Spong.
But it was Witney who scored next through Richard Stratford with Lamb converting to level the score's at 17 apiece.
Cheltenham restarted the second half in style running the ball from deep before James Hillier capped a good performance with a good try with Clements adding the extras to lead 24-17.
Cheltenham now playing their trade mark expansive game increased the deficit to 27-17 when the boot of Clements kicked a penalty soon after.
But the Witney side are a gritty bunch came back again with their star man Lamb kicked his 2rd penalty after 52 minutes.
Cheltenham's determination to finish the season on a positive note took the game to Witney who defended bravely until giving away a easy penalty chance duly kicked by Cheltenham's leading points scorer Clements for a 30-20 lead after 66 minutes.
Witney then produced a try out of nothing from fullback James Monks importantly Lambs conversion attempt missed to set up a grandstand finish to the season.
Both sides strived to increase their scores and with two minutes to play Witney were reduced to 14 men for the second time when Matt Calley got a yellow card,try as they might Cheltenham could not penertrate the Witney defence and the season was over and after a agornising wait for results from the other games to seep through it became apparent both sides had survived relegation.
