Hereford 28 Ludlow 33
Hereford welcomed local rivals Ludlow to Wyeside and in good conditions provided the crowd with a feast of tries. Hereford’s play in the first half was hardly notable for anything other than unforced errors and indiscipline. The second half provided some good end-to-end football and a half dozen tries. The Wyesiders found themselves 7 – 16 behind at the interval, but pulled back to take a narrow two-point lead with 15 minutes to go. However, with the help of some less than robust tackles, Ludlow scored a converted try which gave them a 33 points to 28 victory.
“A disappointing result” said Coach, Alun Richards “We struggled to retain the ball in the first half through our own ill discipline and unforced errors. Ludlow played a simple, yet effective game plan and were able to benefit from our errors and keep the scoreboard ticking over. We had a big deficit to overcome in the second half, but knew we had only to retain possession and build our phase play game. This we were able to do in parts and got ourselves back into the game and take the lead. However, we made too many errors and missed tackles in the final quarter, which let Ludlow off the hook and they were able score and take the win.”
“Josh Bell marked his return to the team with a commanding and dominant performance at number 8, Iwan Holder looked sharp and Jack Goodwin was his usual destructive self. A special mention for Malachi Stuffins making his first team debut. He was effective in his carries and brought in some much-needed physicality. We now need to regroup, get two good training sessions in next week and look to bounce back against a tough Stow team next Saturday.”
Hereford kicked off, playing down the slope. Ludlow worked into Hereford territory and the first of a number of penalties allowed them take an early lead.
The Wyesiders responded well and a promising passing movement took play into the Ludlow 22. Scrum half, Josh Wright broke from a scrum and the ball passed through hands to Jack Goodwin, who crashed through the Ludlow defence for a try. It was improved by Iwan Holder to give Hereford a 4-point lead, a lead which Ludlow clawed back with a brace of successful penalties.
Hereford set up several promising passing movements most of which ended with a missed pass or knock forward. As half time approached, Ludlow ran back a loose Hereford kick, avoided several tackles and ran round to touch down under the posts for a try. The conversion took the score to 7 points to 16, an advantage they held until the interval.
Five minutes into the second half, Ludlow turned over a ruck, made progress into the Hereford half and moved the ball wide to score in the corner. Hereford were playing some good football and scored a couple of good tries to level the score at 21 points apiece. Josh Bell broke from a tap penalty to crash over under the posts.
Three minutes later Iwan Holder picked up mid-field and with a curving run, outflanked the defence for an individual try. Holder made both conversions. Only minutes later Ludlow picked up a loose ball, their strong running brushed aside weak tackles and they were able to score in the corner, the conversion attempt was wide.
From the kick off, Hereford worked their way into the Ludlow half and were awarded a penalty. They took a quick tap carried on by Mark Philo, he off loaded to Cal Duncan who drove over for the fourth and bonus point try. Holder’s conversion gave Hereford a meagre lead at 28 points to 26.
Ludlow’s free running backs put pressure on the home defence and a breakthrough followed by a good off load, set up a final try and conversion. Hereford, now 5 points down, put in every effort during the last quarter, but they came up short due to some solid Ludlow defence and more unforced errors. Ludlow took away the win and 5 league points including a try bonus, whilst Hereford had 2 points from a losing bonus and a try bonus.
Two more youngsters made their 1st team debuts against Ludlow which all helps to increase the depth and quality of the club squad.
The 1870s came away from Pinley with a 16 – 18 win from a hard-fought game. Scorers for the 1870s were tries Lewis Turner, Matt Milsom and Jurijs Kudrjavcevs. Jordan Sheehy landed a penalty. The 1970s now lie third in their league, 2 points behind the leader but having played one more game.
