Stratford upon Avon 17 Hereford 5
Hereford travelled to Stratford with hopes of continuing their recent winning form. However, despite the Wyesiders taking an early lead, Stratford took the initiative for rest of the first half, finished their chances and added three tries, one converted before the interval to take a 17 points to 5 lead. In the second half both teams worked hard and Hereford improved their share of possession and field position. There was no further score which remained at 17 points to 5.
“With the extreme weather conditions, it has been challenging to get any rugby played this weekend.” Said Head Coach, Scott Sturdy “The only senior men’s game played was the HRFC match, at Stratford the venue having been switched because of the floods at Wyeside. It was a difficult game and an underwhelming performance, our platform and set piece was challenged due to conditions.
We struggled at scrum time with the strong Stratford scrum, our lineout was inconsistent and we didn’t kick the field well, as we have done in the last few games. This led to us defending for most of the first half, we did improve in the second period, but again were frustrated in not being able to cross the line. Discipline was poor across the game, conceding twenty penalties and receiving two yellow cards, this is an area which will need tightening up before visiting Edwardians next week.”
“The effort from the players was still there defending for thirty-five minutes in the first half and only conceding three tries, then frustratingly in the second half, keeping Stratford out, but being unable to convert our own chances. We realise where we are in the table, it was grand to pick up those couple of back-to-back wins, but we’ve now got another difficult away trip, before playing our last game before Christmas at home to Whitchurch and we shall look to improved performances. Our Lions game on Friday, the 1870s at Cleobury Mortimer and the women’s game scheduled for Sunday all had to be postponed. A frustrating weekend all round for Hereford Rugby Club, but we live to fight another day and move on to next week.”
Hereford kicked off and recovered the ball after Stratford knocked on. They put together some nice moves in the first five minutes and were looking good, they made ground into the Stratford 22, but knocked on. Following the scrum, a Stratford relieving kick was gathered by Ollie Hutcheson who made ground and laid off to James Pattison, who made a driving run into mid-field. Stratford stopped the drive, but conceded a scrum inside their 22. At the restart Hutcheson picked up at the base of the scrum, linked to the rest of the pack and consolidated possession, when the ball was released, Pattison moved the ball wide to Josh Wright. Wright threw a long pass to Iwan Holder, missing out the decoy runner Tom Ewins, Holder beat defenders on the outside then cut inside to score in the corner, the conversion attempt failed.
Stratford lost no time in responding they went through the phases ending in a maul on the Hereford goal-line which they pushed over to dot down for an equalising try, the conversion was wide. Hereford were reduced to 14 men for ten minutes when Jamie Bullock was awarded a yellow card. Stratford took the lead with a converted try after thirty minutes. A well-executed handling movement took play to the Hereford goal line and despite some pick and go, which was initially handled by determined defence, eventually the pressure told, 12 – 5. As half time approached, Stratford took a tap penalty 10 yards from the Hereford goal line and their big forwards put pressure on the Hereford defence and drove over for an interval lead of 17 points to five.
There was no further score, weather in the second half must have influenced the incidence of errors. Both sides created chances, but all came to naught and the score remained at 17 – 5. Hereford did make a significant improvement in the second half, but the lack of good midfield breaks is limiting the ability to show what they are really capable of. The loss of Ewan Duncan for ten minutes in the second half could not have helped. Next week the HRFC travel to meet Edwardians and subject to ground conditions the 1870s will entertain Old Yardleians at Wyeside
