Old Patesians 13

WHAT a finish! Deep into injury time Cinderford's supporters were in terminal depression but 30 seconds later ...

That's all the time it took for Cinderford to restart, win a line-out, and for Matt 'Jockey' Sherratt to let fly with a drop goal attempt.

Cinderford's rugby chief Dennis Hargreaves watched it every centimetre of the way.

"It seemed to hang in the air for about two minutes. I've never known a kick to take so long to go over the bar," he said.

There were scenes of unrestrained delight in the Cinderford camp as they at last achieved County Cup glory, winning the trophy for the first time since 1908.

Victory came at the end of a pulsating match and Cheltenham-based Old Pats will feel as hung-over as many of Cinderford's supporters though for entirely

different reasons.

"Pats played really well and will be very disappointed," reflected Hargreaves.

It was a desperately close affair and Pats enjoyed long periods of territorial domination. The teams meet again on March 31 in possibly the biggest game of their seasons when they play in a league game.

The score in meetings between the clubs this season is now 2-1 in Cinderford's favour but the next clash is by far the most important.

"We will take it as it comes. We have important games against Maidenhead, Gloucester Old Boys and Truro before then," said Hargreaves.

Cinderford were leading 11-6 and the match was six minutes into injury time when Pats scored and converted a try to take the lead. But just 30 seconds later gloom turned to joy and 'Jockey' rode his luck and hit the winner.