With three games left Hereford are lying third, four points behind leaders Barkers Butts and three adrift of second-placed Pershore.

In the first half Hereford camped in their opponents' territory but were unable to turn their superiority into a decisive advantage. They soon had some points on the board from a Jeremy Grisman penalty but Stratford also landed a penalty to quickly get on terms.

The city club's relentless pressure was eventually rewarded when prop Ben Hillstead, whose outstanding performance made him man of the match, broke through for the opening try. In only their second attack of the half, however, Stratford touched down in the corner for an unconverted try to end the first half all square at 8-8.

The match followed a similar pattern in the second period but this time Hereford began to accumulate points. A good move involving three or four phases ended with Matt Pritchard crossing the line for an unconverted try.

The home club continued to control the game and they soon added a third try. The ball was recycled among the backs before it was eventually released for Keiron Griffiths to finish the move off.