Otley 21, Cinderford 25

A late rally almost stole a much-needed win for Otley but earlier lapses allowed relegation rivals Cinderford to take the spoils, leaving their hosts with a rare bonus point.

The visitors took the lead when an isolated home player was caught in possession and a penalty conceded. This error was followed by successive penalties, the final one under the posts enabling fly half Matty James to take three points.

Seemingly unperturbed, Otley stretched Cinderford to the limits and throughout the first half had the majority of possession and territory.

However, on 21 minutes a loose ball was hacked forward and scrum half Paul Knight won the race to touch down, James adding the conversion.

This was against the run of play but all Otley could manage by the break was a couple of penalties from centre Ben Hough.

A good restart saw winger James Twomey put away but his near-perfect chip over the last defender just escaped his clutches.

Otley skipper Howard Parr instigated their first try with a tap penalty on half-way and a charge through midfield, centre James White completing some snappy handling to give his side the lead.

A late tackle gave James the chance to equalise. Then Robert Winchle scored following a line-out, James converting to put Cinder-ford back in front.

Hough came back with a second penalty but Otley were caught short of defenders when a move broke down and centre Paul Boston grabbed a try, which James converted.

Otley gave Cinderford the run-around in the last ten minutes. Winger Mark Kirkby escaped the defence to race up-field and crisp handling had Hough in under the posts. Despite his quick conversion, Otley ran out of time.