HEREFORD  27 - 15  BEDWORTH

Wyeside, Saturday 13 November 2004

Powergen Midlands 3 West (South)

From the kick off Bedworth attempted to use their “scare tactics” again but fortunately for the young Hereford side, Gareth Griffiths was on hand to “give more than he got”. The referee decided both Griffiths and Tregllgas should take a ten-minute rest.

The game continued and the stronger Bedworth pack won most of the set ball but the faster Hereford pack won more than their share of loose ball. The backs made some promising penetration into the Bedworth 22 and after several offences the referee awarded Hereford a penalty, which Will Bolt successfully kicked to reduce the deficit to 3-5.

Breaks from Des White and Will Bolt failed to produce any further points but sustained pressure from Ali McColl and Wilf Rees produced another penalty to allow Bolt to get another 3 points. Luke Clifford put in some good tackles and Ben Jenkins had some impressive runs in the centre along with Jeremy Grisman.

The second half progressed much like the first with the Hereford backs probing for a gap, which looked like it wouldn’t come. Then the ball ran loose to Bedworth winger Groom who sliced through a poor Hereford defence to score in the corner. 6-10. Bedworth thwarted all Hereford attacks and with time running out it looked as though Hereford would never score. With less than 10 minutes to go, the Wyeside crowd were about to be treated to some scintillating Rugby. From a Bedworth clearance into touch, Jamie Bullock won good clean ball and Billy Grisman unleashed quick ball to Bolt who fed Jenkins, who made good ground before White and Adam Knight were stopped short of the line. Clifford was on hand to win the ball and Grisman fed Flanker McColl who ran 15 yards to score an excellent try. Hereford kept the work rate up and were quickly awarded a penalty which Bolt converted to make it 13-10.

Hereford now were playing with confidence and a great break from Gary Preece made space for Adam Knight to score. Bolt kicked the 2 points to make the lead 20-10. Hereford sensed that they could get another one and superb passing between Grisman, Preece, and White let Knight finish off for the last score for Hereford, which bolt converted. From the kick off however Hereford slackened off and the last play of the game let Leonard in for a consolation try.

All photographs reproduced with kind permission from the photographer, Andy Compton of the Hereford Journal