Shipston on Stour 13 Hereford 26
Hereford travelled to Shipston on Stour in severe weather conditions and were surprised to find a perfectly playable pitch. Hereford started strongly and got onto the scoreboard with a converted try after 16 minutes. Shipston responded with a penalty goal and the Wyesiders added a second try to take the interval score to 3 points to 12.
The visitors scored an early second half try, before conceding a number of penalties. Shipston was given a way back into the game with a converted try and a second penalty goal. However, Hereford recovered control and scored their fourth try to run out winners by 13 points to 26.
“A really challenging day for us away from home at Shipston on Stour” said Head Coach, Scott Sturdy “The weather was not good, but fortunately the pitch was playable. We won the toss and played up the hill and dominated the game right from the off. We executed some beautiful phased play and created a few chances before finishing our first tries. When we went in at half-time, with a lead and the advantage of that slope, I always knew we would go away and win the game.
We had a tricky spell 20 minutes after the break when we gave away a number of penalties and Shipston managed to get back into the game, but we showed some great class and finishing to get ourselves over the line. It was a comprehensive 13 – 26 away win and five points which is a great step forward for us. A massive shout out for Gareth Jones, Man of the Match today by some distance and it’s grand to see him back in the red of Hereford.
We will now build into next week’s home game with Berkswell and Balsall. They are having a tough time in the league, but we shall not underestimate them. We shall look to put on a big performance, on what will be our last game of the year at Wyeside. I urge anybody who supports us, follows us or reads about us, to get yourself down to the club next Saturday. The boys really appreciate the support.”
Hereford started the game very well, received the kick-off and worked their way into the Shipston half, worked through the phases and made several visits to the Shipston 22. From half way Iwan Holder stepped outside one of the Shipston centres, laid off to Gareth Jones, who powered his way through three defenders to score under the posts, Holder slotted the conversion.
The Wyesiders remained on top for large parts of the game playing up the slope in the first half, but conceded a couple of penalties, which ended with Shipston kicking one to reduce the Hereford lead. Just before half-time, Hereford worked their way into the Shipston 22 and showed some real composure, playing through multiple phases, before Nathan Boden crashed over in the corner. Iwan Holder’s conversion attempt from wide out was not successful, leaving the score at the interval at 3 points to 12.
Hereford started the second half really well, applying pressure before Gareth Jones crashed over again with a very impressive second finish. Iwan Holder landed a very tricky conversion from a difficult angle.
Hereford struggled for the next fifteen or twenty minutes, conceding a number of penalties and allowing Shipston to exert pressure and get back into the game with a converted try. Hereford conceded more silly penalties which kept pressure on the Hereford defence, which remained solid. So Shipston decided to take three points on offer from one of the penalties.
With the game in the balance, Hereford showed great composure. They chased the kick off, turned the ball over and played three or four really good phases, including a birdie 3 at the fourth, before Mark Philo made a break in mid-field. He set up Bryn Goodall, who laid off to Stephan Dyers, he broke through and in turn fed Iwan Holder who turned on the gas to get over the line. Holder landed the conversion which took the score to 13 points to 26. Hereford defended for the last ten minutes, but were able to play the game out and come away with a bonus point win. All-in-all a really good afternoon.
The 1870s game was postponed due to the frozen surface of the pitches at Wyeside.
