STRATFORD-UPON-AVON  3 - 21 HEREFORD

Stratford, 14 September 2002

This win for the First XV at Stratford was a quiet affair for the first 35 minutes with Hereford being under pressure for much of the time until Sam Walker broke the deadlock. Matthew Pritchard came on after 10 minutes for the injured Pete Evans to play his first ever game for the first team and his first ever game on the wing. 

After 35 minutes from his teams own 22 yard restart Andy Johnson leaped up and caught the ball tearing on the half way line. From the resulting tackle, man of the match Jamie Bullock supported him, along with his other two back row colleagues, Will Watkins and Will McCaid. They set the ball carried the ball on and it was passed out through the backs to wingman Walker, who caught his own deft chip ahead and ran in by the corner. 

Stratford went back on the attack and was awarded a penalty under the posts for handling in the ruck, which Nick Leach duly dispatched to leave the score 3-5 at half time.

Spencer Grogan replaced Clive Eastwood at half time. The second half started much as the first and it took 25 minutes before Hereford were able to score again. A fine run from Colin Osborne set the ball up for a supporting Shannon Dicke. The Hooker was then able to gallop over for a fine try. Once again the conversion was missed.

Hereford were awarded a penalty virtually from the kick off after pressure from Peter Clarke and Paul Beech made it 3-13.

Following good play by Jamie Bullock a superb link between forwards & backs then put Walker away again but he was unable to touch down, when it looked easier to score than not to. From the resulting 22 another penalty was awarded to Hereford and Beech made no mistake to finally take the score out of Stratford’s reach, after 70 minutes.

Finally, a kick ahead from Beech was brilliantly followed up by Pritchard, (fully justifying Coach Mike Stubb’s selection of another young player). Pritchard tackled the Fullback, picked up the ball and fed Will McCaid who was left unopposed to score a well deserved try and finish the game at 3-21.