Cinderford 20 Hornets 26

Hornets emerged as deserved 20-26 winners at the Beavis Memorial Ground over an out-of-sorts Cinderford.

The visitors’ hooker Kieran Ward opened the scoring after eight minutes with a try from a lineout catch and drive, which went unconverted.

Hornets then returned the ball the length of the field for Connor Vickery to score the first of his hat-trick, which Luke McMullan converted.

A couple of yellow cards for the visitors gave Cinderford a numerical advantage, but they could only manage a penalty from Reece Boughton to make it 3-12 at the interval.

The home team began the second half well and got themselves back in contention when prop Harry Edwards forced his way over for a try, which Boughton converted.

Hornets regained the initiative straight from the re-start however, with a second score from Vickery, which Charlie Carter converted.

Boughton reduced the deficit for the home team with his second penalty, but Vickery completed his hat-trick to secure victory for the visitors.

Cinderford were awarded a penalty try with the last play of the match to give them a losing bonus point.

The Foresters face a tough test on Saturday against National Two West leaders Camborne.