Hereford 1^st XV gained another hard earned victory against a Bedworth side that had clearly done their homework on their opposition. Bedworth kept the game tight throughout the 80 minutes and never allowed the Hereford Backs any space in which to move. Hereford’s best efforts were again spoilt by needless handling errors and off sides. The penalty count against the home side was in excess of 40 throughout the game. Meanwhile the Bedworth count was in single figures in a game that was well refereed by Bristol Society’s Nigel Cutland. If this side is to be vying for honours at the end of the season then the players must take on board coach Mike Stubb’s comments on their general play and avoidance of penalty’s and silly mistakes. The players should realise that a simple handling error or a technical offence not only gives the ball back to opposition but the game constantly re starting does not allow for a flowing fast game.

From the whistle Hereford went into the attack but it was Bedworth who went into a 3-0 lead from fly half Neil Porter after 3 minutes when their first attack into the Hereford half resulted in a penalty for offside. Bedworth had only got into the Hereford half after previous offences had been correctly penalised by the referee.

Back came Hereford and sustained pressure and good work from Des White and Ciren Griffiths, who is beginning to fire on all four cylinders, brought about a penalty for offside. Colin Osbourne made no mistake from the 40 yards. 3-3.

Continued pressure from Hereford then forced Bedworth back into their own half for large periods of time when Paul Beech narrowly missed a drop kick and Osborne just failed from a penalty. A good run from Pete Clarke and Ben Stephens found the Hereford attack held up meters from the line.

From the line out their followed a Forward drive, with Clive Eastwood and Steve Bailes at the forfront,, from the home side and the Ball was quickly moved out to the backs. A miss move found Full Back Osbourne coming in and bursting through for a well-worked try under the post, which he converted. 10-03

From the resulting kick off, after first knocking on again, Hereford again tried to pressure the Bedworth Line and a well-worked move found Will McCaid touching down in the corner, but unfortunately his foot had touched the line in doing so. There followed more stout defence from Bedworth, who were relieved on several occassions by a succession of penalty kicks. From one such kick the Bedworth Full Back Brown made a break through the centres But Fortunately Will McCaid was on hand with a superb try saving tackle.

At half time with the score 10-03 it was still anybody’s game but the home side, with a little concentration should have really been up by 30 points.

An injury to McCaid let on Robbie Atkinson who once again put in a creditable performance. Clearly wanting his place back next week after being unavailable last week. Only an injury to mark Morrison on Thursday allowed Atkinson onto the Bench.

Throughout the second half Bedworth thwarted every Hereford attack and put more pressure in the Hereford 22 from the resulting turn over ball or penalty.

After 15 minutes of the second half excellent work from Matt Pritchard and Andy Johnson forced Bedworth to infringe and Osbourne made it 13-03.

Sensing defeat Bedworth then concentrated in pinning Hereford down helped by Hereford’s own indiscipline. An Innocuous penalty given against Chris Fairly for handling on the ground after the tackle had turned the man resulted in a further 10 metres after Gary Preece had talked back to the referee and Bedworth attacked with their forwards rather than kicking the points. That decision paid off when sustained pressure allowed Malcolm to touch in over the corner, in what was only the third try conceeded in Herefords 6 league games. 16-10.

With 10 minutes remaining Andy Mason and Jackie White came on for Shannon Dicke and Ben Stephens for their first team debuts. Both performed well in their limited time. Indeed White carried on Stephens’s good work and was able to have a couple of useful runs.

The referee blew the whistle to end the game as it had begun with Hereford in the attack and fully deserving the two points.  Fred Welsh, Vice Chairman said, “The players had learnt from the Dixonians game and had “dogged it out”. If they learn not to give away penalty’s from this, then they will continue to improve.”

Another test awaits second place Hereford next Saturday when they travel away to Old Laurentians who are currently unbeaten and top the table. Hereford 2^nd XV also travel to Laurentians.

Hereford 3^rd XV, who are currently top of the Merit table, go in the pool looking for a game.