PULSATING, heart-in-the-mouth stuff it certainly was but Cinderford fought gamely to earn this splendid victory and now sit proudly on top on the league. That means just one thing – they are now the team to beat!

Cinderford's director of rugby, Andy Deacon, was a very happy man on Saturday night.

He said: "For the first time in history we are top of National League One. But this time last year we were bottom, so it's a great, great feeling.

"It wasn't a perfect display of rugby but the second-half showed some impressive potential and passages of play. We have identified areas we want to focus on in training this week ahead of the visit to Rosslyn Park on Saturday. We need to increase our performance and consistency ahead of meeting difficult opponents but results to date cement the belief that we can pay and contend this competitive league – and win!"

Early in the second half Cinderford were in trouble, trailing 14 - 31.

But they blitzed 22 points without reply, scoring two tries when Coventry were reduced to 14 players with a lock forward sin-binned.

Cinderford's tries were scored by Rob Winchie, Jack Adams, Lloyd Stapleton and Nev Codlin (2). Mark Davies' reliable boot contributed the others.