HEREFORD  46 - 9  LEAMINGTON

Wyeside, 7 September 2002

Powergen Midlands 2 West League

A much changed Hereford, containing only five players from last season's side, started their Midlands 2 campaign with a convincing victory at Wyeside on Saturday. The young and enthusiastic Hereford team overwhelmed their opponents and thoroughly deserved their emphatic triumph.

The only sour note for Hereford was in the 50th minute when Jeremy Grisman was red-carded for illegal use of the boot.

The Wyesiders started promisingly and winger Sam Walker opened the scoring after only three minutes when he side-stepped two opponents to touch down underneath the posts. Grisman added the conversion and Hereford's second try arrived on 10 minutes following a break by Colin Osborne, who set up a ruck for Mark Morrison to power over the line. Grisman kicked the conversion before Leamington got their first points on the board from a penalty to cut Hereford's lead to 14-3.

Leamington attacked again but they were thwarted by Grisman who made a quick break and was supported by Peter Clarke, playing his first game for Hereford, to score under the posts. Grisman kicked the conversion and added a penalty before Leamington replied with their second penalty kick to trail 24-6.

Leamington continued to attack, sensing they could regain the momentum, but a brilliant catch by Osborne set up a try for Preece just before the interval.

The visitors went on the offensive for the first 15 minutes of the second period and were rewarded with their third penalty, which reduced Hereford's advantage to 29-9.

Despite Grisman's dismissal, Hereford continued to remain firm and completed the rout with further tries by Pete Evans, Jamie Bullock and Shanon Dicke, in his first game at hooker, while Paul Beach kicked a conversion.