Wolverhampton 25 Hereford 31

Hereford and Wolverhampton scored nine tries between them in a most attractive game. Hereford controlled the first half and despite conceding an early try, led by 19 points to 5 at half time. A red card for Tom Ewins changed the nature of the game and in the second period Hereford had to dig in, their defensive plan was tested and they were forced to concede three second half tries. The Wyesiders though, managed two further tries to run out winners by 31 points to 25.
A delighted Head coach Scott Sturdy said  “It was a really pleasing day at Wolverhampton today. We have had a difficult twelve months, when we haven’t been good away from home. We’ve been talking a lot about the future and what it means to us and to be fair to the lads they put in a sterling performance today. We were scintillating over the first thirty minutes making numerous line breaks, scoring three tries and looking a really good team.

Unfortunately, we then had a red card which changed the complexion of the game. This was followed by three yellows in the second half.

The most pleasing thing from a coach’s point of view is when the chips are down and you see the players step up, with every man working harder, showing guts and passion. This we showed in abundance today, it’s definitely a monkey off our backs and a massive step forward for the players. We have a template now to build on for the rest of the season. If we continue to play and perform in the way that we did today then we shall finish the season where we planned to be.

I give a shout for the 1870’s who beat Kersley’s first team by 22 points to 5 and we look to replicate this when I travel with them next week to Redditch. The club is in a good place, and we have a momentum upon which we need to capitalise as we move forward. My final note is that I’m massively proud of the players who travelled to Wolverhampton today, for the scintillating rugby they played and the adversity they overcame at the end of the game”

Early on a Hereford attack broke down, Wolverhampton picked up and moved the ball wide to score in the corner, the conversion attempt was wide.

 

The Wyesiders responded immediately and levelled the score with a signature catch and drive try. Hereford controlled the game for long periods playing some confident attacking football, Tom Ewins and Mark Philo standing out in a creative back division. Wolverhampton conceded a penalty at the line-out, a tap penalty was driven to the goal-line and Scott Robinson went over for the try. Three minutes later a move involving Lewis Jordan and Jack Goodwin put Matt Milsom in for the third Hereford try. A particularly strong run by Tom Ewins ended in an incident, after which, Ewins was shown red. As the half came to an end Leon Parsons got over the goal-line but was unable to touch down. Josh Wright made two successful conversions and the half finished with Hereford leading by 19 points to 5.
Early in the second half a break by Leon Parsons was stopped just short, but the referee had spotted a Wolverhampton infringement and awarded a penalty try resulting in a Wolverhampton yellow card. Wolverhampton’s response was to put the Hereford defence under severe pressure and Hereford’s Tom Williams was shown a yellow card. From the following penalty a well-judged cross kick was gathered and touched down by Wolverhampton, the conversion attempt was wide. Wolverhampton continued to press and a passing movement across the field eventually created a gap for the third Wolverhampton try, this time the conversion was accurate.
Hereford centre Mark Philo was shown yellow and shortly afterwards Matt Milsom followed him to the bin. Hereford opted to take a scrum awarded to them close to the line and Tom Williams drove over for the fifth try, Josh Wright converted. Wolverhampton came back and put Hereford under pressure again and crossed for their bonus point try taking the final score to 24 points to 33.

All 18 of the Hereford players were heroes, well led by skipper Connor Sullivan.

The 1870s had another great win beating Kersley by 22 points to 5. The points were scored by tries from Freddie Spencer, Ross Taylor and James Lawrence with Freddie Spencer adding 2 conversions and a penalty goal. They travel to Redditch next week whilst the Hereford team welcome Crewe and Nantwich to Wyeside.