It was a bitter-sweet day for Bournville after relegation from the National Leagues was confirmed by a 61-24 defeat by Cinderford at Dockham Road but the Blues secured promotion from Counties Three Midlands West (South) by beating Woodrush 45-21 in a local derby at Avery Fields.
Bournville ensured that they went down with guns blazing by securing a try bonus point on the last-ever match played on grass before Cinderford install an artificial pitch.
But the point was not enough to save Bourns as, with a maximum of 10 points to play for in the last two games of the season, they can no longer overtake the haul of the second-bottom club in National Two North who will now be spared relegation.
The defeats by Hinckley and Luctonians last month had already left Bourns requiring an unlikely combination of results to stay in the National Leagues for a fifth season.
Cinderford opted to play into a stiff downfield wind in the first-half and used their forward power and excellent support play to open up a 33-0 lead by the break. Wing Sam Smith and openside flanker Joe Mullis each scored two tries with centre Will Baldwin Harry Edwards also crossing and fly-half Sonny Greenman converting four.
The Forest of Dean side increased the lead to 40-0 early in the second-half when loosehead prop Harry Edwards crossed and Greenman converted but Bourns showed the fighting spirit which was evident against Luctonians to test the home defence thereafter.
Nathan Decalmer began the fightback by setting up Joe Jenkins for the first try, converted by Jacob Fewtrell, which was soon followed by a penalty try awarded for a high tackle.
Although Cinderford continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over Bournville played a full part in the entertainment with lock Nick Murphy going over a try and then Decalmer rounding off the scoring with one of his length-of-the-pitch specials.
Cinderford’s other tries were scored by George Alexander, Baldwin and blindside George Angell with Luke McMahon converting all three.
Meanwhile at Avery Fields it was a winner-takes-all affair with Woodrush also needing a win to clinch promotion.
The Blues had the try bonus point safely wrapped up by half-time but, having opened up a 16-3 lead, Woodrush hit back to reduce the gap to 26-16 at the break.
There was still work for Blues to do in the second-half but they closed out the game sensibly to secure promotion in their very first season in the RFU league pyramid.
But the Blues were pipped to the league title by Upton on Severn who edged out Cleobury Mortimer 21-17 in Shropshire which gave them a three points lead at the end of the campaign.
Wing Jack Mitchell and scrum-half George Ayliffe each scored a brace of tries for the Blues with Harry Belcher, George Jewell and Will Taylor also crossing.
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