In a game of fine margins and persistent rain Canterbury had to be content with a losing bonus point in this opening round of the National Division 2 South season.

Had had they taken their chances it might have been a different story but, on a West Country day made for forwards, two catch and drive tries from Cinderford proved decisive.

For a city side full of back line pace the alien conditions were challenging but they adapted to them quickly.  Cinderford’s early thrusts were contained by an organised defence and when that had been seen off it was Canterbury who offered the greater attacking threat.

It should have produced the first try of the afternoon when debutant wing Kieran Thompson was put into space but the pass to an unmarked Dan Smart missed the target,

Five minutes before half time Canterbury’s persistence and positive attitude paid off.  They probed deep into home territory where the pack delivered quick ball at a ruck and Will Farris’s cut out pass sent Harry Sayers over the corner.  With an impressive conversion from Ollie Best the city side looked set for a half time lead, but then suffered a double blow.

A yellow card for Royce Cadman and the loss of Number Eight George Micans with a rib injury gave Cinderford their chance and George Evans catch and drive try, converted by James Moffatt, squared matters,

They were made to pay again for Cadman’s absence in for the opening minutes of the new half but almost survived. Seconds before his return Cinderford struck again, this time through hooker Tom Bozzard, with Moffat again on target with the conversion.

There was plenty of time left on the clock but conditions worsened and when the city side had their own catch and drive opportunities the home defence was too canny to succumb.

Two penalty chances came Canterbury’s way but in the difficult conditions under foot Best pushed them wide and the Cinderford pack eventually closed down this tight contest.

Canterbury would be justified in claiming they did not get the rub of the green but on a testing day the form of their new boys was promising with flanker Hugh McCormick-Huston putting in a highly effective shift.

Canterbury: A.Moss, K.Thompson (repl M.Beaumont), JJ Murray, W.Farris (repl T.Best), H,Sayers, O.Best (K.Thompson), D.Smart, J.Green (repl A.Cooper),  T.Rogers, S.Kenny, R.Cadman (repl E.Cohen), T.Burns, S.Rogers, H.MCormick-Huston, G.Micans (repl F.Edwards)