CINDERFORD came close against Sedgley Park in a game both sides needed to win.

The home team soon opened the scoring with a penalty , but the visitors responded with an excellent try finished off by winger Sam Smith, which Jake Shortland converted.

Straight from the re-start however the ball was charged down for the Bury side to claimn a converted try.

Shortland quickly levelled up the scores with a penalty and another successful long-range kick put his team 13-10 ahead but a converted try gave Park a 17-13 interval lead.

Another penalty made it 20-13 but Cinderford levelled when Max Knight showed good skills to go over for a try, which Shortland converted.

Seals landed his third penalty but once again the visitors hit back when No 8 Paddy Pearce, who had a fine match, released Smith to score his second try.

Park confirmed their place in National One with a converted try to make it 30-25

Both sides observed a minute’s silence in memory of Cinderford businessman Keith Bell, a highly respected figure at the Beavis Memorial Ground.

Cinderford United showed tremendous spirit to defeat leaders Longlevens 28-14 in Counties One.

Tom Anderson, Hugo Murray and Tom Reynolds scored their tries, with Joe Langbridge kicking two conversions and three penalties.