Stratford Upon Avon 34 Hereford 12
Hereford were put to the sword by a clinical Stratford team, which snapped up the majority of their chances.
Possession and field position were relatively even and Hereford had their chances, but many were frustrated by unforced errors. Stratford scored two early tries, but it took thirty minutes before they added a third try which was converted to give them a 17-point half time lead. A couple of yellow cards at the start of the second half helped Stratford to register their fourth and bonus point try before Hereford opened their account with a try. A brace of Stratford tries followed, before the Wyesiders added a converted try. This gave Hereford heart and they continued to work hard, but were unable to add to their tally and the game ended with a win for Stratford by 34 points to 12.
Head Coach, Scott Sturdy said. “A mixed weekend for Hereford rugby club. First of all, I’d like to talk about our 1870s team, a really strong performance at home to Bishop’s Castle after drawing the away fixture. From what I’ve been led to believe, there was some lovely flowing rugby and a great bonus point win. This sets up, with one game to play against second placed Worcester, a head-to-head finale to their season. A win would ensure they win their league so it should be a very exciting game and I would urge as many people as possible to go over and support our 1870s to win the league in their last game of the season.”
“From the HRFC team perspective it was a difficult day at Stratford. Some poor defence in the first twenty minutes and then just before half time, probably put the game out of reach. I commend the lads for some of the attacking rugby we played in the second half. If we’d taken our chances in the first half and managed to get a few more passes to stick, maybe we could have clawed our way back into contention and taken something from the game. We now look forward to two home league games to finish off the season for the HRFC team. Walsall on the 11th and Worcester the 18th and we urge as many people as possible to come down and support those games. We would love to secure 4th place and a top four finish this season would make it a successful season all round for the senior section.”
Both sides showed their intention to play good running rugby and there was little to choose between the quality of the sides.
Once again though, Hereford encountered a team which was clinical in taking its chances and Stratford got onto the scoreboard with a brace of unconverted tries within 15 minutes of kick-off. Stratford opened with a try following a break in mid-field, a kick ahead and a good chase. Minutes later, one of their centres was fed the ball on the burst, breaking the visitors defensive line and crossing for the try. Some lively play featuring Connor Sullivan, Iwan Surian-Holder and Josh Wright gave hopes of a Hereford response, but too many passes went astray. Stratford consolidated their lead with a try in the last minute of the half, when a passing movement, following a lineout, found a gap in the Hereford defence, to put their winger over in the corner. This time the conversion was successful and gave Stratford a 17 points to nil lead at the interval.
A couple of controversial refereeing decisions saw both Dean Powell and Connor Sullivan get shown a yellow card early in the second half.
A Hereford defensive error allowed Stratford to get their fourth try and secure the bonus point, the conversion attempt was not successful. The inclusion of Freddie Spencer off the bench added some life to the Hereford attack and a driving run from Tom Ewins took play into Stratford territory. The ball was moved through hands and Mark Philo crashed over for an unconverted Hereford try. Stratford added two further tries, one after intercepting a Hereford pass and running the length of the field, the other a standard catch and drive, pushed over in the corner. Hereford never stopped trying and the catch and drive saw the ball driven to the Stratford line and Scott Robinson touching down for a second Hereford try. With just a few minutes remaining Freddie Spencer drop kicked the conversion and raced back to save time. Hereford attacked from the restart, but time was against them and the game ended with the score at 34 points to 12
The 1870s had an immensely important win, effectively setting up a play off at Worcester next weekend, where a win would ensure league championship and promotion. They beat Bishop’s Castle & Onny Valley at Wyeside by 35 points to 9 playing some exciting and excellent attacking rugby. The five tries were scored by Fletcher Smith 2 and George Russell, Dan Mills and Rhys Proctor one each, Ollie Bullied converted all five tries.
