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HEREFORD 24 - 18 CAMP HILL

Wyeside, 14 December 2002

Powergen Midlands 2 West League

The festive season got underway at Wyeside on Saturday, when Hereford's First XV ran in four tries for a 24-18 win against Camp Hill to stay in touch with the pacesetters in Midlands Division 2. It was 18 year old Ben Priday’s first game at loose head prop, where he acquitted himself with distinction, in this most formidable of positions. Indeed Camp Hill changed their tight head on 3 occasions to give young Ben a taste of things to come as he progresses in experience. Ben has been playing a couple of years for the extremely successful Hereford Colts team, and although still eligible to play for the Colts, coach Mike Stubbs had no hesitation in starting him in the 1st XV league game. He played so well both in tight and loose, being helped by Shannon Dicke, that no changes were made to the front row for the first time this season.

Winger Des White went over after his three-quarters combined in a sparkling move in the first five minutes for a try converted by Colin Osborne to give Hereford a 7-0 lead. After a 3 week break due to work commitments, it was good to see the prolific White back amongst the action and his inclusion certainly gave the team a lift.

Camp Hill equalised after 15 minutes with their first incursion into the Hereford half, with a try by Ali Wildey, converted by Ian Chetland, after some poor defensive work from the Hereford Backs. The away side actually took the lead for a short time when Chetland kicked a penalty to make the score 7-10, but Hereford were soon back on the attack

Hereford scrum-half Ben Jenkins and Camp Hill hooker Stuart Caley taking time out in the sin bin, looked on as a well-practiced move saw flanker and man of the match Will McQuaid take a line-out ball to run through two tackles and crash over for an unconverted try and a 12-10 score line.

Hereford increased their lead to 19-10 on half time when second row Jamie Bullock fed winger Richard Mayson for the home side's third try converted by Osborne. Indeed, Bullock had his best game of the season, whist playing at 2nd Row

Camp Hill faced considerable pressure at the re-start, and Hereford went further ahead when Number 8 Mark Morrison took the ball from a scrum and, with his pack in full support, Jamie Bullock crashed over for a try converted by Paul Beech to make it 24-10. Hereford were in the driving seat from then on and should really have had another 4 or 5 try’s but final passes continued to go astray. Unfortunately they took their foot off the pedal in the last 8 minutes to allow Camp Hill to hit back with a try from centre Rob Oliver, and a penalty by Chetland made it 24-18 before the final whistle allowed relieved Wyeside supporters a celebratory drink at the bar.

Hereford's First XV face Sutton Coldfield away in the league this Saturday, December 21. Work commitments and weddings mean that at least 6 of the senior squad are unavailable, but this give even more opportunity’s to the Clubs youngsters to stake their claim to a regular place.