Hereford 13 Ludlow 15
On a cold afternoon Hereford and Ludlow kept the crowd warm with an exciting display of grassroots rugby. Ludlow took an early lead with a try and the Wyesiders reduced the deficit with a penalty goal. Ludlow held on to their narrow advantage during a period of end-to-end play until, with minutes to go in the first half, they struck again with a second try. Both tries went unconverted and the interval score was 3 points to 10. Within minutes of the restart Ludlow added a third try while Hereford had a man in the bin. This seemed to kick-start Hereford, once they returned to full strength, they spent most of the last twenty minutes in or near the Ludlow 22. They did register a brace of tries, but all out attack in the final ten minutes was not rewarded and they finished on the wrong side of a 13 points to 15 defeat.
Head Coach, Scott Sturdy said “A mixed weekend for Hereford Rugby. A comprehensive performance and result for the 1870s away to Malvern II. It’s great to see the strength in depth that we are starting to build up within the club, having had too many players available this week for two squads.
It’s a positive sign moving forward.
It was a difficult day for our Hereford team at home to Ludlow, losing narrowly 13 – 15. We played quite poorly in the first half, we kicked and chased and played to the strengths of the Ludlow players and they took full advantage. The boys managed to get ourselves back into the game by starting to play a more expansive game and within a ten-minute period, getting the scoreline back to 13-15. We then had twenty-five plus phases on the Ludlow try-line to end the game, but not quite being able to get over. Disappointing from that standpoint and obviously it has an effect on our league position. We now need to put this game behind us and need to move on. The games come thick and fast, the 1870s are still playing to win their league.
On Sunday our Colts had a great result in the first round of the North Midlands cup. They beat Bromsgrove 51-nil, playing some beautiful free flowing rugby and seem to be going from strength to strength. “
Both sides started giving their back divisions plenty of opportunity to play a running, passing game. The conditions though were not good for open play and both sides made handling errors contributing to missed chances. After 10 minutes, Ludlow opened their account with a try in the corner, following some vigorous forward play. The conversion attempt was wide from the difficult angle. Hereford lifted their game and following a lineout, a kick ahead was followed up by Leon Parsons, who was just beaten to the touch down. During this period Hereford were awarded a number of penalties, one of which was converted by Connor Sullivan.
Play continued to move from end to end and both sides created chances.
For the Wyesiders, Jack Goodwin, Tom Ewins and Joe Vaughan created promising opportunities all frustrated by handling errors. With half time approaching and with a second half playing down the slope in prospect, the 2-point lead looked vulnerable. Ludlow, though had other ideas and a penalty, kicked to touch, provided the opportunity for a well worked catch and drive into the corner. The kick was not successful and the teams changed ends with Ludlow holding a more comfortable lead of 10 points to 3.
Early in the second half Hereford were reduced to 14 players when Leon Parsons was shown a yellow card by the referee for a technical offence at the breakdown. Ludlow kicked the resultant penalty to touch, well inside the Hereford half, they won the lineout and then a scrum before moving the ball wide. They made use of their extra man to outflank the defence for an unconverted try. This seemed to galvanise the Hereford squad and following a lineout the ball was released and was transferred through the hands safely to Matt Milsom, who celebrated his 50th first team game with a try, wide out near touch. The conversion attempt was wide.
Hereford continued in this vein and a neat kick ahead from Dean Powell was gathered by Tom Ewins but it unfortunately ended in touch. Josh Wright found a good touch from a penalty and the catch and drive took play to just short of the Ludlow goal-line. The ball was made available quickly and Jack Goodwin forced his way over for the second Hereford try. The conversion attempt was wide, but the try had taken Hereford to within two points of their opponents. For twenty minutes until full time, the Wyesiders put everything into battering the Ludlow defence, but were unable to break through again. The well drilled Ludlow defensive structure held firm to see out time and take a hard-earned victory.
The 1870s maintained their challenge for league honours with a win at Malvern in a high scoring game. Tries from Bill Sparey, Will Haines, Dan Mills, Alex Thomson, Joe Smith, Ollie Hutcheson & James Lawrence with a couple of conversions from Ollie Bulleid saw them home to a 39 points to 15 bonus point victory. Man of the Match was scrum half George Russell.
