CAMP HILL  3 - 9  HEREFORD

Camp Hill, 28 December 2002

Powergen Midlands 2 West League

Hereford visited Birmingham to record their first double of the season with a convincing win, although the dreadful conditions did not allow a larger margin in points. Many, including the referee thought the ground to be almost unplayable, and some teams might have cried off, but Andy Johnson, the Hereford captain, decided to go ahead. Johnson said that despite having over half the first team squad unavailable the players had travelled there for a game and they all wanted to go ahead.

Hereford set off at a fast pace and were camped in the home teams 22 for the first 25 minutes but. After a variety of attacks they just could not get over the line and were thwarted by the conditions and stout defence from Camp Hill. Steve Bailey went close on two occasions, as did other prop Ben Hillstead. The young colt again gave a good account of himself, playing his 3^rd 1^st team game. If he improves as much during the rest of the season as he has in those 3 games he will certainly become a regular choice. Indeed along with Hooker Clive Eastwood they were able to secure at least a half dozen of the Home teams balls against the head.

Andy Johnson and Matthew Pritchard were again instrumental in turning over ball to set up attack after attack but towards the end of the first half a penalty for offside allowed Bradley to put the Home side in front with a 35 yard penalty.

The second half started much as the first with Hereford launching waves of attacks but could not get over the line. However a fine run from new look centres Bullock and White forced and era for a high tackle and from the ensuing penalty Osborne levelled the scores after 60 minutes.

Hereford again went on the attack but wrong options combined with the conditions again to halt the away sides charges.

After 70 minutes Hereford were awarded a penalty just outside the 22 and Osborne made no mistake to give Hereford a 6-3 lead.

Following sustained pressure another penalty for persistent offside, 4 minutes from the end, was kicked by Osborne to confirm the victory.

Next week Hereford entertain top of the table Old Laurentians K.O. 2.15 pm. Hereford Chairman Guy Griffiths said, “ We start again next week when we will hope to have a full squad to choose from. Phil Jones will be available for the first time in 18 months so this should “beef up” the pack, should he be selected. We are currently 4th in the table and face the top three teams at home in 2003. Conversely we also play the bottom three teams in the league away from home. To maintain our challenge at the top, we need to get maximum points from next weeks game.”