KERESLEY  7 - 48  HEREFORD

Saturday 12 November 2005

Powergen Midlands 3 West (South)

Attacking from the off, the Wyesiders put their struggling hosts under immediate pressure. A series of several phases produced the first score with flanker Luke Clifford popping up on the wing to cross for the opening try and winger Colin Osborne added the conversion. Enjoying a plentiful supply of ball, Hereford continued to attack with their backs and forwards combining well to open up the home defence and allow fly-half Tim Harvey to romp through under the posts, Osborne again adding the extra points.

Young centre Ryan Ellis then showed his undoubted potential with a searing 70-yard break in which he evaded a couple of would-be tacklers to touch down for a fine individual try and Osborne landed his third conversion.

A controlled forward drive brought an unconverted try for lock Will Watkins before a dropped ball in midfield allowed the home team some respite with a converted breakaway try reducing arrears. Harvey chased back to tackle and, although the ball appeared to be grounded short of the line, a try was awarded. Unfortunately, Harvey disputed the decision and was duly dispatched to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.

Even without Harvey, Hereford still managed to extend their lead when Clifford, now playing in the centre, gathered his own chip over the top for a fourth try, again improved by Osborne. The depleted Hereford team more than held their own after the interval but some basic mistakes and a couple of wrong options meant that they only added a penalty, through Osborne, before regaining their composure. They bagged two further tries without reply in the final quarter. Centre Sam Ellis cut through for a fine try, and then full-back Gary Preece joined the line for a final touch-down after another sustained series of powerful phases opened up the stretched Keresley defence. The unfailing Osborne completed a fine display of adding both conversions.

Victory for Hereford continued their recent successful league run and coach John Watkins has targeted the three matches before Christmas, against Old Coventrians (home), Pershore (away) and undefeated leaders Silhillians (home), to put his side in a position to challenge for promotion.