Hereford 22 Silhillians 24
Another exciting high scoring game at Wyeside against table topping Silhillians. The visitors built up a healthy lead in the first half, whilst Hereford were unable to capitalise on a number of good opportunities. After being under pressure for the first 15 minutes of the second half, Hereford worked hard to get back into the game. This they did and with minutes left on the clock pulled back to be only seven points down. In the last minute they got the try they needed, but the conversion attempt which would have pulled them level drifted just wide.
“A frustrating weekend” Head Coach, Scott Sturdy said “The 1870s playing away at Pershore finished with a 25 all draw. The game, which was a pretty physical affair, was abandoned after 60 minutes when one of the Hereford players sustained a significant injury. Both sides played to their strengths, Pershore playing a tighter more direct game with Hereford spreading the ball about a little more. Disappointing, with 20 minutes to play and the game in the balance, the boys would have wanted to play on to get a result, but to take 2 points away from home in a new league can’t be bad.
A disappointing home performance by the HRFC team was similar to the game against Malvern. A lot of chances were missed in the first half and it was frustrating to go 17 – 3 down in the first half. We found some fixes and played much better in the second half, but we don’t want to find ourselves chasing games all the time. We want to be in a position to win games rather than draw them. We have to move on now, both sides have a win, a draw and a loss to their name. Next week the HRFC side welcome Worcester to Wyeside for a local derby, please come out and support the lads and hopefully we’ll see better performance and better results.”
Hereford kicked off, playing down the slope and both sides moved the ball through hands with the game moving from end to end. The Silhillians well drilled backs looked dangerous and early in the game broke through in the centre to touch down under the posts for a converted try. Hereford worked hard to get on terms, but promising approach work often broke down in the visitors 22.
Hereford won a penalty after a scrum broke down and a Josh Wright kick reduced the deficit to 4 points. Sils built on their lead with a second converted try and a penalty goal taking the interval score to 4 – 17. For the whole of the half Hereford looked off colour. They rarely threatened the Sils goal-line. Good work from the forwards, in particular the back row of Danny Robson, Luke Yarranton and Tom Williams kept them in the game.
Playing up the slope in the second half, Hereford found the going hard and were pinned in their own half for 15 minutes before a driving run up the middle by Leon Parsons gave them a foothold in the Sils half. The Wyesiders now started to look more threatening, the ball was moved wide then back again before Danny Robson drove over for the first try, Josh Wright added the extra points.
Sils responded from the restart, they recovered the ball and set up a three-quarter move which ended with a converted try in the corner. Hereford set about clawing back the deficit and camped inside the Sils 22. The forwards won a series of penalties, many of which they opted to scrum and from one of these Ollie Hutcheson picked up to crash over for a try. The conversion from Josh Wright reduced the Hereford deficit to 7 points at 17 – 24.
From the kick-off the Wyesiders continued to exert pressure in the Sils 22 and were awarded several more penalties in the red zone. Two Sils players were shown yellow and they were fortunate not to concede a penalty try. Eventually, with time running out, a Hereford scrum was pushed over for skipper Scott Robinson to claim the try. Hereford though were denied the draw they deserved when the conversion attempt sailed just inches wide.
It was a disappointing result, but the Wyesiders can take comfort from their second half performance, which rescued a losing bonus from a 14-point interval deficit. Hereford have several sharp finishing wings and need to provide them with more ball in space. Some slicker passing and greater depth in attack would be helpful.
The 1870s came away from Pershore with a 25 – 25 draw, the game was ended prematurely due to an unfortunate and serious head injury to a Hereford player, Ryan Cooper. Scorers for the 1870s were tries Max Cooper 3 and Ollie Bonelle 1, Jordan Sheehy landed 2 kicks, a penalty and a conversion. Both Hereford teams now lie mid-table in their respective leagues with similar results.
