THE ambition to end the season as one of the league's top five clubs is within Cinderford's grasp. However to do so they will need to see off their nearest rivals, Blackheath, in London this Saturday.

At times frustratingly out of form, Cinderford have not always produced the goods. However, they have more than held their own in a highly challenging and competitive league where a single error can mean the difference between success and failure.

Blackheath will be a significant challenge.

A game in hand and just two points behind, Blackheath would dearly love to make the climb back into big-time rugby. It is out of their grasp this season but to prove their credentials they need to be in the mix with their famous London neighbours Rosslyn Park and Richmond. To achieve that they will need to elbow country cousins Cinderford out of the way.

There's another factor making Saturday's game a tasty challenge – Blackheath will include the former Gloucester, Cinderford and Lydney outside-half Rory Teague in their line-up and in heavy conditions he will, no doubt, want twinkling feet and swift hands to escape the attention of Cinderford's lively back-row.

Among those hunting him down will be flanker Luke Allen, man-of-the-match against Tynedale, the no-nonsense Northumberland outfit who tested Cinderford on Saturday and were unlucky not to take a point from the match.

Quick off the mark, they scored first with a try by skipper Hamish Smales. Cinderford's response was almost immediate as full-back Mike Wilcox finished off an excellent move for a try converted by Mark Davies.

More pressure by Tynedale earned a penalty kicked by Matthew Outson but Cinderford went ahead with tries each side of half-time by impressive winger Nev Codlin, the first of which Davies converted.

Tynedale's Smales grabbed his second try but again Cinderford responded with the bonus point try scored by Lloyd Stapleton and converted by Davies.

Both teams were to score again, Smales achieving a well deserved hat-trick for Tynedale with Cullen adding the extras. The last score went to Cinderford as a try by debutant Jack Preece, converted by Davies, denied Tynedale even a losing bonus point.