Hereford welcomed Bromsgrove Colts back to Wyeside this weekend for the N Midlands U20s Plate semi final, Hereford were hoping to repeat their victory of two weeks ago, in the N Midlands Colts League, to see them through to a final on the 25th April against Halesowen.
Bromsgrove started well and should have scored from the kick off when Hereford were penalised for not staying on their feet at the ruck, but the resulting kick went wide, and then piled on the pressure when a Hereford player was sinned binned dangerous play. However Hereford were able to turn the tables when Bromsgrove were penalised for hands in the ruck and Fin Ralph slotted the penalty for a 3 v 0 lead. Still with 14 men on the park Hereford won their own lineout inside the Bromsgrove 22m catch and drove over the line for Caleb Thomas to come up smiling for the try. Fin Ralph converted.
Bromsgrove came back in to the game through good work by their forwards Herefords loose play under pressure, with Hereford stuck inside their 22m the Bromsgrove flanker charged down a kick to clear the Hereford lines and went over to score out wide, which they were unable to convert. Hereford then scored the try of the game when Herefords Toby Razvi rolled off a maul inside his own 22m and showed great pace to beat the cover defence and then offload to Tom Ewins who stepped inside the Bromsgrove full back and was over the line to score before the cover defence could stop him, leaving the score at half time 15 v 5 to Hereford.
The second half was characterised by Hereford giving away to many penalties and not controlling the game and good defence by Bromsgrove. With the wind behind them Bromsgrove tried to kick for field position but good work by the Hereford back three Tom Gallagher, Steve Harris and Ky Burrell kept them out until 10mins from the end of the half when a series pick and drives and a quick penalty led to try almost in front of the posts which was converted. Hereford hung on for the win 15 v 12. The final will be played at Luctonians on the 25th April v Halesowen.

Hereford Win North Midlands Colts League
Hereford Colts were presented the North Midlands Colts Cup by new young Welsh international Tavis Knowle, thus rounding off a very successful season.
Hereford’s young colts team finished the season unbeaten in the North Midlands Colts League and were very pleased to have also won the Plate in the North Midlands U20s cup event, having only entered for experience and game time. Winning the Colts League was particularly pleasing for the ex-Hereford first team captain, Spencer Goodall, who presented the cup sponsored by Johnsons Lawn Seed, for whom he works.
Players were presented the trophy and their winner’s medals by 19-year-old Scarlett Tavis Knowle, who has just been named for the Wales tour of New Zealand this summer.
Fin Ralph (captain) was named player of the season, most improved was Jamie Humphries and Tom Ewins and Gus Lowther tied for players-player and therefore shared the award.
Pictures: Vice Captain Ben Osborne received the cup as captain Fin Ralph was playing away at the Bournemouth 7’s tournament.

N Midlands U20s Cup
Saturday 21st March Hereford Colts v Stourbridge u20s
Hereford Colts travelled to Stourbridge in the N Midlands U20’s cup with their young colt’s team and despite the poor weather conditions put in a strong performance. The early exchanges were very close with the larger and more experienced Stourbridge pack controlling the scrum and close play and very fast looking back three taking on the Hereford midfield defence and putting pressure on Hereford for the first 15 minutes. Hereford in almost there first foray into the Stourbridge half were award a penalty just outside the 22m and left of the posts for holding on the floor and Connor Sullivan converted well in the wet and windy conditions. Buoyed by this success and Fin Williams’ leadership of the pack Hereford started to establish dominance in the scrum and through the excellent hands of Jamie Humphries in the air at the lineout but were unable to turn this into points. Stourbridge could have equalled the score after Hereford were penalised twice in quick succession for holding on the floor but both kicks went wide of the posts leaving the score at 3 v 0 to Hereford at the interval.
Hereford came out into the second half with the wind behind them the determined to play in the Stourbridge half through good use of the boot by flyhalf Ben Osborne who gave Hereford a lineout just inside the Stourbridge 22m. Humphries won clean ball and the pack drove all the way to the line for Tom Potter to come up smiling for the try. Stourbridge then realising that they needed to respond or the game would be gone and put in their best period and sustained pressure led to a converted penalty and were back in the game. Hereford having soaked up the pressure were able to break from defence after a spilled ball and then good hands by Tom Ewins at centre put wing Ky Burrell away to score out wide restoring the two score gap. Hereford clinically then shut down the game back denying Stourbridge the ball and keeping a very sound midfield defence and then in the last few minutes Stourbridge gave away a penalty at the break down in front of the posts and Sullivan slotted the kick to put the match beyond doubt.
Final score Hereford Colts 16 v 3 Stourbridge u20s
Hereford Colts next play Wednesday 25th March at Wyeside 7pm v Bromsgrove in the N Midlands Colts Cup.

Hereford Colts put in a strong performance to keep their unbeaten record in the N Midlands Colts League beating local rivals Luctonians for the second time this season. Hereford could not have made a better start by scoring two excellently worked tries inside the first ten minutes. The first came after couple of very controlled drives by the Hereford forwards into the Lucs 22m, followed by a pre-planned double miss move by flyhalf Ryan Rowlett to full back Ben Osborne and wing Ky Burrell before Rowlett took and inside ball to round the defence and score under the posts for and easy conversion for Connor Sullivan. Hereford second try was in almost the next play of the game and made by Tom Ewins centre crashing through the midfield and giving a sweet offload from the floor to centre Fin Ralph who stepped the full back to score under the posts for another easy Sullivan conversion.
Luctonians rallied themselves and came back into the game and were able to keep Hereford out for the rest of the half and only ventured into the Hereford half through use of the boot. Hereford squandered at least a couple of try scoring opportunities by taking the wrong options. Half time score 14 v 0.
After the interval both sides worked hard to gain dominance knowing the first to score would set the pace for the half. Luctonians for the first time were able to put significant pressure on the Hereford line by the forwards using a pick and drive before going wide to their backs, only sound defence keep them out before Hereford were able to turn the ball over and relieve their lines. After 20 minutes there was still no score until Lucs were penalised at the breakdown almost in front of the post and Sullivan converted the penalty to break the deadlock. Hereford then had the upper hand and after strong driving work by Number 8 Brad Talbot and both second rows Alex Hickenbotham and Jamie Humphries front row David Hobby crashed over the score out wide which was not converted.
Lucs determined to get a score pressurised the Hereford line for the last five minutes of the game, Hereford were warned for repeated infringements until prop Gus Lowther turned the ball over to end the game
Hereford Colts 22 Luctonians Colts 0

National Colts Plate:
‘Ralph puts in a captains performance’
Short Report: Hereford Colts win away at Old Silhillians in the National Colts Plate competition 27 v 14. Fin Ralph puts in a captains performance by scoring four of Hereford’s five tries.
Full Report: Hereford travelled away to Old Silhillians with a very changed side due to playing partly due the fixture being on a Saturday (instead of the normal Sunday) and a number of keys players were missing due to work, sickness and holidays meant Hereford travelled with only 17 players including 2 very new recruits. Hereford started strongly and were camped in the oppositions 22m for the first 10 minutes, after a number of forwards attacks moved the ball wide and centre Fin Ralph (captain) showed good support work to take the ball back from wing Ky Burrell who was held up short of the line, and then step the full back to score out wide. Ralph showed his pace to score his second try in loose play after showing the inside of his opposite number and the full back to outpace them both to the line. Old Sil’s came back into the game just before half time as Hereford were penalised for delaying the put in into the lineout on their own five metre line from which Old Sil’s set up a rolling maul to score under the posts which they converted leaving the half time score at 10 v 7 to Hereford.
Old Sil’s came out firing and scored their second try after poor tackling in the Hereford midfield let them score under the posts and convert taking them in to the lead for the first time. Stern words were spoken behind the Hereford posts and after several forwards phases took them in to the Olds Sil’s 22m second row Tom Duvall showed good hands to Ralph who scored his third out wide. Ralph got his fourth try by steeping his centre and the covering defence, the win was assured when Ed Mifflin scored after a catch and drive from a Hereford lineout just inside the Old Sil’s 22m.

Short Report: Hereford Colts 32 v 10 Bridgnorth Colts
Hereford remain unbeaten in the North Midlands Colts League with an impressive display of running rugby in poor conditions. Tries: Burrell x2, Ralph, Amos, Thomas, Sullivan. Conv’: Sullivan

Full Report:
Hereford welcomed Bridgnorth not to the normal Wyeside this weekend but to Whitecross school pitch after the flooding has left Herefords pitch to water logged. Hereford playing with the strong wind started very brightly after being penalised at the breakdown inside the Bridgnorth 22m and the resulting kick not reaching touch Ben Osborne opened up the defence with a neat step and pace and good hands across all the backs put wing Ky Burrell over out wide. Bridgnorth stunned by the early try started well from the kick off and set up several good phases before Hereford infringed at the breakdown in front of the posts and the resulting penalty was kicked well into the strong wide. Bridgnorth were then let down by poor kicking as loose kick was taken by the Hereford midfield who went wide again and simple hands put Burrell over for his second try inside 10 minutes. Herefords third try came in the same manor when Fin Ralph (captain) cut through the midfield defence to offload to the strong running Tom Ewins, before Ralph rejoined the move and cut inside two cover tackles to go over and score. Good work at the lineout by Tom Davoll set up a series of pick a drives before Hereford went wide again and good hands by lock Alex Hickenbotham left wing Steve Amos with just his wing to beat before going over to score. With almost the last play of the half Hereford used the wind to kick to the Bridgnorth 5m line and then the catch a drive took them over for flanker Caleb Thomas to come up smiling for the second week, leaving the score at the interval as 25 v 3.
Bridgnorth now with the ‘ten point’ wind to their backs came out firing and their strong forwards started to gain the upper hand particularly at the ruck and scrum, and several good phases of play saw them camped in the Hereford 22m but good work at the breakdown by Hereford kept them out. After several poor attempts to kick out of defence into the very strong wind Hereford went for the easy option and decided to run the ball out and Fergus Hawkins and Tom Ewins linked very well to get out of their half, followed by good work from the forwards to set up a ruck inside the Bridgnorth half for scrum half Connor Sullivan to dart round the short blindside to eventually score under the posts and then convert his own try. Bridgnorth kept making a game of it and scored a well worked try after a series of pick and drives the strong open side flanker broke the cover defence to go over and score just wide of the posts, which was then converted.
Final score Hereford Colts 32 v 10 Bridgnorth Colts.
A good game of rugby played in excellent spirit of the game
Next Hereford Colts are away to Silhillians Colts in the National Colts Cup

Short Report: Hereford Colts 12 v 5 Old Patesians. Tries: Ky Burrell, Caleb Thomas. Conv. Connor Sullivan.

Hereford travelled to Cheltenham on a very wet and windy Sunday, for the first meeting of these two age groups for as long as anyone could remember.
Cheltenham played with the wind and started strongly camping in the Hereford 22m for the first 10 minutes to eventually scored out wide after there strong set of forwards first pick and drove Hereford back to camp on their line and then to go wide and put their winger over the line out wide.

Hereford responded well and worked probably the best try of the match from an Old Patesian kick into the Hereford half full back John Hargest stepped through the chasing cover to off load to the Hereford backs for good hands to score on the other wing. Fin Ralph also crossed the line after a strong run from his own half but the referee adjudged him not to have grounded the ball.

The second half saw Hereford camping on the Old Patesian line and only strong defence kept them out as Hereford crossed the line again but Tom Potter was held up. Hereford eventually put the screw on and a magnificent catch and drive just inside the 22m took Hereford over the line and Caleb Thomas controlled ball in hand from the back of the maul to score under the posts. Sullivan converted.

Final score
Hereford Colts 12 v 5 Old Patesians Colts

Next week: Sunday 2pm 29th November N Mids Colts League: Hereford Colts at Home to Bridgenorth Colts. Can Hereford maintain unbeaten record in league?

 

Sunday 15th November
Short Report: Hereford Colts retain their unbeaten record in the N Midlands Colts League against Luctonians with an impressive 27 v 3 win at Mortimer Park. Tries: F Hawkins, C Thomas, T Ewins and L Jordan. Conversions: C Sullivan x 2, penalty: Sullivan.
Full Report: Hereford Colts win in Local derby
Due to flooding at Wyeside Hereford reversed their Colts fixture and travelled to Mortimer Park on Sunday to meet local rivals Luctonians in the first leg of the N Midlands Colts league. The opening exchanges were frantic as both sides sought to establish dominance up front, eventually Hereford established field position inside Luc’s 22m and should have scored after a couple of quick penalties and scrums but solid defence kept them out. The first half remained tight with Hereford beginning to take control in the forwards particularly through Tom Davoll dominating in the lineout and the work of Alex Hickenbotham and Tom Potter putting in the hard yards. The half looked to remain scoreless until 5 minutes from the end when Luctonians conceded a penalty from not far wide of the posts for hands in the ruck and Connor Sullivan slotted the penalty. Luctonians responded form the kick off and after a fumble in the Hereford backs were able to kick through and the defence were able to scramble back but were penalised for holding on and Luc’s converted to even the scores. Luc’s thinking the half was up appeared to switch off, and a strong chase from the restart resulted in a turn over and Hereford first drove left up field before putting the ball through all the backs hands for Fergus Hawkins scored out wide on the right wing. Interval score 8 v 3.
Hereford now playing with the wind came out firing and stated to move the ball through both hand and boot and their total dominance up front denied Luc’s almost all possession apart from scraps. Hereford were unlucky to have a player yellow carded for a late tackle but to show their dominance scored two tries during the 10 minutes first through a catch and drive from the Luc’s line with Lewis Jordan coming up grinning from the pile of bodies followed by Tom Ewins crashing over out wide after goods hands in the backs put him into space. Sullivan converted from the touchline. Caleb Thomas rounded off his man of the match performance by emerging from a maul with the ball and went untouched to score under the posts, Sullivan converted.
Final Score Hereford Colts 27 v 3 Luctonians Colts
Next week friendly away to Old Patesians

N Midlands Colts League

SUMMARY:
Hereford remain unbeaten in the N Midlands Colts league after beating Kidderminster Colts on Friday night 31 v 0. Tries: Burrell x2, Osborne, Jordan, Hobby. Conv: Sullivan x3

FULL REPORT:
Hereford travelled to Kidderminster on Friday night for a top of the table clash with both sides being unbeaten in the league so far this season. Hereford started well from the kick off setting up several phases of forward play and then moved the ball wide through the backs and wing Ky Burrell made good yards to offload just short of the line to Ben Osborne to score. Connor Sullivan converted.
Kidderminster shocked by the early try rallied through their forwards who competed well at the breakdown and were able to disrupt Hereford getting quick clean ball. Hereford responded by keeping the ball close and rumbling forward by good use of the maul and pick and drive to make good yards and eventually find themselves on the Kiddy line and in one last move Lewis Jordan drove over to score. Sullivan converted.
Hereford then began to dominate in all areas of the park and were able to press the Kiddy defence hard, disrupting their ball at the lineout particularly with good work by Jamie Humphries. The midfield partnership of Fin Ralph and Tom Ewins worked well at breaking the line before moving wide again and a good offload by Brad Talbot to Burrell who showed good speed to round the defence before bouncing the last tackle to score out wide.
In the last move of the half Hereford showed their forward domination to keep the ball tight and rumble up the pitch which Kiddy where unable to stop until about 5m out and Sullivan at Scrum half dummied the defence to sneak over, leaving the score at half time as 24 v 0.
Hereford made a number of substitutions at half time but still came out firing and regained the ball from their own kick off, and after two powerful runs by Tom Potter and Dave Hobby crashed over for the forwards try of the game. Sullivan converted. In the final quarter of the game Kidderminster came back into the game and where able to spoil Hereford play but they could not get enough ball to make a concerted challenge on the Hereford line apart from a hack through after a fumble in the Hereford backs.
Final score Herefortd Colts 31 v 0 Kidderminster Colts
Next week local derby Hereford Colts v Luctonians Colts at Wyeside ko 2pm

Short Report:
Hereford convincingly beat Evesham 65 v 0 to remain top of the N Midlands Colts League.
Tries: Fin Ralph (3), Ky Burrell (3), Steve Amos (2), Brad Talbot, Lewis Jordan, John Hargest. Conv. Connor Sullivan (5)

Full Report:
Hereford put in a convincing performance against an under par Evesham to remain top of the N Midlands Colts League. Hereford started brightly by moving the ball wide and Fin Ralph cutting through the midfield and the stepping the Evesham full back to score the first of three tries in the first half. Brad Talbot dominated in loose play, and strong running gave him a try after 5 minutes. Hereford pack then took control and dominated up front supplying the backs with apple ball and quick hands put Burrell in first the first of his hat trick. Steve Amos scored the first of his brace after good hands by Fergus Hawkins put him into space. Ralph repeated his midfield scything run and after a good off load he regained the ball and went over for his second try. Lewis Jordan scored after a well worked back row move from the scrum and the following second phase he crashed over to score. Ralph got his hat trick before half time after good set piece play in backs went all way to the wing and after a good off load by Ben Osbourne went over to score.
The second half started with Burrell scoring his second by using his pace and strong running to cut through the now flagging defence. Amos shortly after got his third try after collecting the ball in loose play and breaking through and would have scored apart from a trip from a now desperate defence, the referee awarded a penalty try. Burrell scored his hat trick after the ball was put wide and superior numbers showed as he went over again. The last try was scored by John Hargest after good hands in both forwards and backs put him away to score out wide.
Commendation should go to Evesham Colts for making a game of it despite overwhelming odds.

Hereford welcomed Malvern to Wyeside this weekend in the first local derby the two sides have had for sometime at Colts (u19s) with both sides fielding teams at this age group for this first time for a few years, and with both clubs 1st XV teams in the same league it may also provide a litmus test on the seniors game due in December.
Hereford started brightly and moved the ball wide on every occasion and the first to benefit was Ky Burrell, wing, who rounded the defence to eventually score under the posts for an easy conversion by Connor Sullivan. Malvern where shown the yellow card for foul play and during the period Tom Ewins at centre took a crash ball in midfield to sail through untouched and score under the posts. Sullivan converted. Burrell shortly after got his second try after good hands by Fin Ralph and John Hargest put him away outside again to round the defence. Tom Davoll got just rewards for stealing Malvern ball all game at the lineout by pinching Malvern ball inside their 22m line and then a catch drive took the whole Hereford pack over the line for Davoll to ground the ball for his first try for the club. Malvern scored a penalty from just inside the Hereford half to leave the half time score at 26 v 3.
Hereford made whole sales changes in the second half and first to make an impact was Martin Welling at centre who’s strong running broke the Malvern midfield defence a couple of times before making the try line, Fin Ralph converted. Malvern in there best period ten minutes before the end camped on the Hereford line but could not score against resolute defence. In the final plays of the game Hereford kicked well up field and after series of rucks Toby Razvi popped up through the middle and drove over the line to score.
Final score Hereford 36 v 3
Scores; Tries K Burrell(2), T Ewins, T Davoll, M Wellings, T Razvi, cons C Sullivan (2) F Ralph

North Midlands Colts League
Sponsored by
Johnsons Grass Seed and Crouch and Hold

Hereford Colts v Shrewsbury Colts
Match report Sunday 13th September 2009

On the opening weekend of the new N Midlands Colts League Hereford welcomed Shrewsbury, one of the league favourites, to Wyeside. Hereford played with the slight breeze in the first half and although the dominated possession could not breakdown the visitors solid defence, both sides could have taken three points after infringements in very kickable range but neither could convert into points. A change of tactic after the interval by Hereford led to almost immediate points, after several short pick and drives by Dave Hobby, Lewis Jordan and Alex Hickenbotham that sucked in the defence before going wide to Brad Talbot who crashed over. Connor Sullivan converted.
Hereford then in their best period of the match could have scored after quick hands from the backs but Steve Amos (wing) through but was held up just short of the line, after which Hereford where awarded a scrum, from which they set a rolling maul which rumbled over the line where Tobi Razvi grounded the ball.
Shrewsbury responded well in the final period and put sustained pressure on Hereford by keeping the ball in hand and using their backs to move the ball wide. Hereford then lost a player to the sin bin after a team warning for repeated infringements at the breakdown the resulting penalty attempt hit the posts. Shrewsbury used the extra man to camp on the Hereford line with wave after wave of attack. Hereford could have scored break away try through Fin Ralph who went blindside from a scrum and stepped the wing and full back but could not make the pass before the cover defence caught him. Shrewsbury continued to turn the screw and eventually scored in the final moments of the game after several phases of attack broke through out wide but could not convert.

Final Score Hereford Colts 12 Shrewsbury Colts 5

Hereford Colts travelled to Bromsgrove this weekend aiming to turn around the loss they suffered three weeks previously in a friendly fixture. Both sides were fielding different teams with Bromsgrove having lost three players to university and Hereford having a much fuller squad.
Hereford started well and quickly gained upper hand through Marcus Ashcroft dominating in the front row of the scrum and Tom Davoll in the lineout supplying Hereford with good ball to its mobile pack. Hereford had a player sin binned for 10 mins for retaliation and with only 14 men Hereford started to work the rolling maul to good effect with Alex Hickenbotham driving over strongly after a series of drives and grounding the ball just wide of the posts for Connor Sullivan to convert.
Hereford’s second try came after good hands in the backs and Ben Osborne put winger Ky Burrell in space who rounded his winger to score, Sullivan converted. Bromsgrove responded from the restart by putting first the catch under pressure, causing the ball to be spilled and then through a series of strong drives by there back row unit who offloaded neatly to score just wide of the posts, leaving the score at the interval 14 v 5.
Hereford’s third try came from there dominance at the lineout and a catch and drive took them to the 5m line and Lewis Jordan crashed over from short range, Sullivan converted.
Bromsgrove responded by making the most of the ball they were getting and after a series of forward drives moved the ball wide when the Hereford defence had gone to sleep and scored out wide. Hereford keen to finish the game on a high scored probably the best try of the game by exerting the dominance up front firstly through a catch and drive in the lineout then series of pick and drives before moving the ball through the backs for the right wing to break a cover tackle and score out wide.
Final score Hereford 26 v 10 Bromsgrove

Quick Summary: Hereford 6 Melton Mowbray 0
Hereford win a place in the Midlands Regional final of the National u17s Cup in a very close game that was only broken by two penalties by Connor Sullivan. Melton lived up to their reputation as a very strong forward dominated side that put Hereford under pressure for long periods of the game, but Herefords resolute defence kept a clean sheet despite Melton crossing the Hereford try line twice once being held up and second being disallowed for a double movement.

Full Report
Hereford win a place in the Midlands Regional final of the National u17s Cup
Hereford u17s put in a very strong performance to overcome the divisional favourites Melton Mowbray at Wyeside on Sunday. Melton had made the long journey from NE Leicestershire and lived up to their reputation of having a very strong forward dominated game, and both at the scrum and in loose play and Hereford had to work very hard to stay in contention.
Hereford opened the scoring within the first five minutes when Melton killed the ball in front of the post just inside their half and Connor Sullivan slotted the penalty. Melton came straight back into the game and spent the next 10mins camped on the Hereford line but again Herefords defence held out to eventually clear their line. Hereford got the upper hand in the lineout with but Melton had the scrum and only good work by the back row of Rory Burke, Brad Talbot and Tobi Razvi kept Melton in check at first and second phase. The half was characterised by strong defence from both sides and at the interval the score was still 3 v 0.
Hereford now playing into the slight wind started well and could have scored from the kick off when Melton fielded the ball badly and Razvi collected and quick ball went wide only was only saved by the last tackle. Hereford won anther penalty in kickable range after the Melton backs were offside at a ruck and Sullivan converted. Melton realising they now had to do something and poured on the pressure and almost camped on the Hereford line for the last 10mins of the game crossing th line first through the backs only to be held up and then through the forwards from a lineout only to be penalised for a double movement.
Hereford then held on for a number of scrums on their line to clear to touch in the last play of the game.
Congratulations to both teams for a very competitive match played in the spirit the game which set a good example to th large crowd of young and old supporters watching.
Next week Saturday game 12.30pm kick off home v Merthyr Tydfil as a warm up game before the Hereford first team play Walsall.

Wyeside
Hereford met Wolverhampton in the divisional quarter finals of the National u17s Cup, both sides had never previously met in any competition this was a step into the unknown for both sides. Wolves won the toss and decided to play into the strong wind. Hereford keen to impress started very strongly and turned early pressure into series of penalties in kickable range but decided to kick for the corner in the very blustery conditions. The second of these led to Hereford scrum and number 8 Brad Talbot picked off the back, passed the ball to the backs who the went wide to wing Fergus Hawkins to beat two men to cross the line wide on the right for the first score.
Hereford continued to dominate particularly up front and after a trademark driving maul on the left of the pitch produced good quick ball and a simple pop move from fly half Ryan Rowlett drew the defence and centre Fin Ralph cut through and round the defence to score under the posts. Connor Sullivan converted.
Wolves stung by this early onslaught responded with some of their best play of the game and after a series of pick and drives moved the ball to their backs that moved the ball well and threatened the Hereford line eventually leading to a 5m scrum and then lineout. Hereford showed why they have one of the best defensive records in the division by not allowing Wolves to cross their line, with particularly good work by Toby Razvi and Rory Burke defending on the fringes that eventually turned the ball over and Hereford were able to clear their lines.
Having weathered the storm Hereford scored their third try of the half through a series of pick and drives which sucked in the Wolves defence before going wide and full back Ben Osborne supplying wing Ky Burrell who rounded the defence to score. Sullivan converted.
Half time Hereford 19 v 0 Wolverhampton
Wolves started well with the wind to their back which they used to their advantage to kick for field position, Hereford responded well and keen not to let Wolves into the game despite some strong running by their centre and full back. Good interlinking between Hereford’s forwards and backs led to a series of drives for the Wolves line first by lock Alex Hickenbotham and then prop David Hobby before Brad Talbot was able to steer the driving maul over the try line and ground the ball in front of the posts. Sullivan converted.
With the game effectively over but with all credit to Wolves who continued to make a real game of it Hereford scored their fifth try after loose play in the centre of the field allowed Tom Ewins to put Burrell into space who did well to beat his wing and round the cover defence to score under the posts. Sullivan converted made it 4 from 5.
Final score: Hereford 33 v 0 Wolverhampton
Next round of the cup: 2 weeks’ time

Hereford U17s v Luctonians U17s
Sunday 14th December
Result: Hereford 22 v 7 Luctonians

Hereford wins their first encounter in league one of the North Midlands U17s league in second local derby against Luctonians.

Luctonians came to Wyeside fired up after having lost at home to Hereford in November in a close game. Luctonians started strongly in the first few phases of play they moved the ball and centre Drew Cheshire would have scored apart from the try saving tap tackle of Fergus Hawkins Hereford then lost a man to the sin bin for a late tackle. Luc’s continued to dominate leading to Hereford infringing twice in quick succession with hands in the ruck just wide of the posts and Luc’s should have scored but both attempts at goal just drifted wide.

After the early pressure Hereford rallied and keen to impress their new dress shirt sponsors TPA Metals and Machinery, China set up good field position just outside the Luc’s 22m by a series of rolling mauls, good hands followed and number 8 Brad Talbot dummied his way over out wide. Scrum half Connor Sullivan converted with the help of the cross bar.

Hereford took control of the game through good work of their forwards who were again very dominant in the lineout, and also the use of the rolling maul. Several good phases of play with the back row of Marcus Ashcroft, Rory Burke and Brad Talbot making their presence felt, by setting a series of driving mauls from which Lewis Jordan would have scored had the last line of defence not been offside, and a penalty try was awarded. Sullivan converted.

Hereford last points of the half came through good work of the forwards and the ball moved wide and the Luc’s centres adjudged offside in front of the post, Sullivan slotted the penalty leaving it 17 v 0 at the interval.

Hereford continued in the same vein in the second period but was unable, despite good possession to add another score, with final passes not quite making it to hand. Sullivan continued to snipe around the edges of the scrum and maul, and fly half Ben Osborne and centre Fin Ralph linking well providing good ball to Hereford backs particularly to wings Ewan Brown and Ky Burrell who despite the poor conditions had good games.

Luc’s gave themselves a small ray of hope after their phase play sucked in the Hereford midfield defence and John Morris the Lucs full back showed good speed to cruise through and score untouched and then converted his own try.

Hereford responded by kicking for field position and then employing their effective rolling maul, after several pick and drives they drove over the line and Sullivan grounded the ball for the try and effectively winning the game.

Hereford U17s would like to thank their dress shirt sponsors TPA Metals and Machinery (China)

Hereford U17s having watched the first team beat Dudley Kings on Saturday were keen to emulate the adults side unbeaten record in the league when they hosted Ledbury at Wyeside this Sunday in their first meeting in the west midlands U17s league. Hereford started well and looked dominate up front with a strong set of forwards who had all the early play in the Ledbury half. Hereford scored first after a sustained series of pick and drives resulted in a scrum on the Ledbury 5m line scrum half Connor Sullivan dummied his opposite number and broke through the back row covering tackle to score out wide of the posted. Sullivan then converted his own try. Hereford continued to have all the ball and territory but were unable to utilise it, leaving the score at 7 v 0 at the break.

Hereford continued to dominate at the start of the second period and after a couple of phases Rory Burke at centre smashed through the midfield defence, slick hands in the backs initially through Ben Osborne then moved the ball wide to Ky Burrell to break one tackle to get over for try out wide, converted by Sullivan. Ledbury showed great resolve and entered their best period and after a series of infringements, by Hereford at the breakdown, took a quick penalty and drove over the Hereford line to score out wide, but were unable to covert. Hereford lifted their game in response and after stealing ball at the lineout Fin Ralph seeing limited options outside him dropped a goal from wide and well outside the Ledbury 22m.
Hereford’s final try came after good work by Brad Talbot at No8 almost broke Ledbury line, the backs utilised the quick ball and after a strong run Tom Ewins offloaded to Ralph, who beat two men to cross over the line wide again, but Sullivan keen to maintain his 100% kicking record slotted another straight through the middle.

Hereford home next week to Droitwich in the League

Final Score Hereford 24 v Ledbury 5

Hereford U17s continued their good start to the season with win against a strong Old Richians side. Hereford could have conceded a try inside the first two minutes and only desperate defence held up the Richians forward drive that crossed the line but could not ground the ball. Hereford responded in similar fashion with good work by the forwards, and could have gone over after Fin Ralph took a quick penalty but was adjudged to be in touch before crossing the line. Hereford first score came after good work by the backs enabled Ky Burrell to round the defence to score out wide. Infringements at the breakdown allowed Richians back into the game with two penalties given away in quick succession in front of the posts but they only converted one leaving Hereford 5 v 3 up at half time.

The second half was characterised by Hereford getting stronger and Richians fading. Early in the second half Lewis Jordan crashed over after Hereford lineout became more dominant and took any loose ball on the Richians throw in and then pick and drove to the line. Richians were still not out of the game and their strong pack worked the maul very well to eventually score out wide. Brad Talbot scored the forwards try of the game by smashing through the defence from 10m out after Aaron Jones and Dave Hobby rumbled 20m to be stopped just short of the line. Hereford final try came through good handling by the backs notably Ben Osborne and Rory Burke to set up Jamie Humphries from the second row to go over out wide. Connor Sulllivan converted x 2.
Result Hereford 24 Old Richians 8

Next week league match home to Ledbury