STRATFORD-UPON-AVON  20 - 0  HEREFORD

Pearcecroft, Saturday 11 September 2004

Powergen Midlands 3 West (South)

A poor kick off resulted in more self-imposed pressure on the away side and, along with several poor decisions, allowed Stratford to play the first 20 minutes inside the Hereford 22. Brain missed with a couple of penalty attempts and despite losing lock Biddle for stamping for 10 minutes Stratford continued to put Hereford under pressure.

The referee then penalised Stratford twice in quick succession and Hereford kicked into the corner of the home side's 22 for the first time in half an hour. From the resulting Line out Phil Jones won clean ball and the Hereford pack drove up the try line. Ben Priday was penalised for pulling a Stratford players’ shirt and the try never came.

Stratford continued to dominate, winning Hereford's scrums and line outs almost at will and, apart from one break from Sam Walker, played the rest of the half inside Hereford’s 22. Brain kicked a penalty, with a minute remaining and then from a ball against the head No8 Pritchard went over for an unconverted try on the half time whistle.

The second half went very much like the first with Hereford giving away possession when they had it. Indeed the ball only went to the wing on one occasion in the whole game. Penalty kicks did not find touch which allowed Stratford an attacking base. Will Watkins came on with 20 minutes to go and although he made a difference it was not enough.

With 10 minutes to go and after several penalties a well worked penalty gave Biddle the final try and the conversion made it 20-0.

Hereford then brought on Dave Thomas and Richard Rees and pressed into the Stratford 22. Rees was making his first team debut from last season’s under 17 team. Tim Harvey, also making his debut, was moved to fly half and finally the ball was kicked where it was supposed to be. Hereford then camped in the Stratford 22 but a succession of errors turned try scoring opportunities for Hereford into counter-attacks for the home side and Gary Preece found himself having to make several tackles to stop any further tries.

Phil Jones made a difference in the line outs and Tim Howard will make a difference in the backs but Hereford need to be able to win their own ball if they are to be considered anything more than an average side in this league.