A look at the weekend’s rugby action

Hereford 39, Stratford 22

STRATFORD travelled to Hereford knowing they would be in for a fight no matter how Hereford’s season had been going and the difficulty level was increased with two players withdrawing late on due to sickness.

And yet it was the visitors who scored first when a set move off the back of an attacking scrum gave centre Dan Whitby prime position to slot the ball over for a 3-0 lead.

Hereford soon got their hands on the ball though and gained in confidence with plays being orchestrated through their experienced fly-half.

Some poor communication in Stratford’s defence resulted in a three-on-one situation which led to a try in the corner and a two-point lead.

Another slow start from Stratford, aside from the penalty goal, saw clearing kicks going straight into touch and an attempted grubber kick through the line bouncing out without making any real territorial gain. Once they got moves in motion though they did put some pressure on Hereford.

After surviving this period, the home side managed to work an overlap down the left and although the move was halted by scrum-half Jake Lowe near the corner flag, the referee decided it was a high tackle, awarded a penalty try and sent Lowe to the bin. Hereford now led 12-3 and had a ten-minute one-man advantage with around 20 minutes of the game gone.

Hereford added a third try wide on the right and although the visitors defended gallantly, the bonus point try came just as Lowe was about to return, a catch and drive from a five-metre line-out.

With the score at 24-3, the home side had their winger sin-binned giving Stratford the extra man going into the interval and they showed what they are capable of with a try following a flowing backs move. Replacement Andy Oliver fed outside centre Charlie Powell who swerved between defenders to score in the left corner to make it 24-8.

Stratford opened the second half with a lovely display of running rugby which began on their own ‘22’ and ended 15 phases later just short of the line when a pass went astray.

Two more Hereford tries took them into a 36-8 lead before direct running and clean rucks saw Lowe and lock Zak Amond combine to push the Hereford defence back and a few phases later, hooker Ben Cole was driven over the line.

The visitors continued to press and following a series of dominant attacking phases, Amond bashed his way over with Whitby adding the extras to close the gap to 36-22 with around 12 minutes remaining for them to grab a bonus point fourth try.

But a penalty against Stratford in front of the posts allowed the hosts to kick three points and stretch their lead and while Stratford did go on the attack again, time fizzled out following a succession of scrums and penalties.

League rivals Shipston completed their home league fixtures with a 45-35 defeat to third-placed Edwardians. The Rams’ tries were scored by Dan Taylor, Harry Clark, Charlie Hutchings, Ben Harris and a penalty try.

Alcester fought back from a 12-point half-time deficit only to lose out to a converted try in the last play of the game as hosts Worcester won their Counties One Midlands West (South) game 26-22.

Harbury lost out 19-5 at home to Aston Old Edwardians – a win that sealed the Birmingham side’s Coun-ties Two Midlands West (East) title. But there was better news for the 2nds who wrapped up their league with a 41-5 victory over Berkswell and Balsall.

Harbury’s neighbours Southam also lost at home, going down 47-24 to Birmingham & Solihull, while Claverdon lost a thriller at Coventry Welsh 24-23 having been 14-7 ahead at half-time.

Tomorrow (Friday) sees Shipston back in action as they welcome higher ranked Nuneaton to Mayo Road in the semi-final of the Warwickshire County Cup (ko 7.45pm)

There is just one game on Saturday and that sees Harbury take on second-placed Earlsdon knowing that a win could see them overhaul their visitors with just one game to go.