Eventually everybody found the ground but we still only had a squad of 14 to face a large Camp Hill squad on a cold morning and a heavy pitch. However, the Under 12’s put in a terrific performance over the match of 4 quarters.
A very small pitch meant there was little room to work but we battled well and showed real determination to get 2 trys up through some excellent strength & running from Nick & Freddie. The pack continued to stay on top in the 2nd quarter but the game was much tighter with some terrific tackling, passing & support work which led to a 3rd try from Luke with Freddie converting. In the 3rd quarter, going uphill we found it difficult as Camp Hill brought on fresher players but defended our line exceptionally well with many players showing real courage to keep the opposition out. Charlie Skyrme deserves particular praise for his work in the scrum and at least one try saving tackle on our line.
In the final quarter, Hereford got a second wind & Camp Hill’s heads dropped a bit as we ran in a further 3 tries from Jack Helme, Luke and James Riedy two of which Freddie converted. The final score was 0-41 but that suggests it was an easy win. Hereford fought hard through the whole match, played as a team & thoroughly deserved a big win to reward probably their best performance of the season so far!!

The match against Ledbury was moved to their ground due to Wyside being flooded. It was always going to be a tough match due to the quality of their team & size of their squad. Additionally we had a lower turnout than usual which meant a number of players had to play in unusual positions.
Having said that, in the first game we fought hard & defended well. When we did have the ball we found it hard to make good use of it and unfortunately we lost a number of key rucks. Just before half time our defence was breached and we conceded a try.
The pattern was repeated in the second half and despite coming close to scoring and some strong defence from Jack, Max, Freddie, Regan and James we conceded another 2 tries eventually losing 19 – 0. On a plus point the referee said that the game was played well and he was very impressed with the front rows in scrum and the quality of their scrummaging.

In the second game against their B squad we made some changes to and had more players in different positions. However, still with a strong team we were able to score 2 tries through Jack Helme & Mitch Wilson to their one try. The game was still close though and the defence strong on both sides and Ledbury were able to score in the second half meaning Hereford won 10 – 5.

Game 1

Score 7 – 27

It was a very cold and wet Sunday morning but once again we had a tremendous turn out from the Hereford Under 12 squad. Old rivals Bromyard clearly had a score to settle but Hereford were not to be taken down without a fight. With tries being scored from the outset, the final tally saw scoring from Mitchell Wilson, Jack Helme – 2, Luke Clarke – 2, with one conversion from Freddie Cross. With just a few mistakes, mainly down to a slippy ball, the squad worked together like magic, with structured passes and precise targeted kicking. All in all a great team effort. Well done !!

Game 2

Score 0 – 12

The entire team were now all pretty much soaked through and freezing cold but it didn’t dampen their performance. A much closer game, Bromyard targeted the defence only to be hit hard and pushed back. A fantastic display from the Hereford scrum pushed Bromyard further and further back, and once Hereford had hold of the ball they were not letting it go. Clear determination from all members of the team and some great pitch runs saw them through to another great win. Tries scored by Nick Entwhistle, Luke Clarke and one conversion from Max Aldous-Fountain. Well done !!

Game 1 – Hereford v Stourbridge

Score 36 – 19

A fantastic start to the new season. Always good to go off with a bang. The previous 4 weeks of training clearly paid off with a total of 6 tries being scored : Nick Entwistle - 2, James Reidy, Luke Clarke, Jack Helme and Ed Mence, followed up by 3 conversions from Freddie Cross. The boys seemed to be firing on all cylinders with a host of targeted tackles, grouped with a strong defence the opposition really struggled to get through. With good captained leadership the lines stayed focused and everyone did their job to perfection. Well done !!!

Game 2

Score 5 – 14

Once again a focused game with just one try being scored by Luke Clarke – he really did have a cracking start to the season. As you can see from the score the defence was once again a key element to the match. It was very much an end to end match and the excellent kicking skills from Max Aldous-Fountain kept the opposition on their toes. Well done !!

 Our Hereford under 11's squad travelled to Malvern on the 26th April. A long game of four quarters was played so that the home & away sides could rotate their players.  In good sunny conditions Hereford played good structured rugby following on from their Bournemouth success. Again we saw the forwards rucking well and winning ball which allowed the backs time to pass and develop space. Hereford ran out winners by 11 tries to 7 touch downs being scored by Jack(5), Freddie(2), Callum S, Zak N, Callum C and Matt.  No conversions were taken.

Hereford under 11's enjoyed a very successful Bournemouth.  In the group stages sterling performances against Ellingham and Eastleigh set up a semi final against strong local team Wimbourne. An all round performance from forwards and backs resulted in a three try victory and so the team progressed to a final against Salisbury. The final was a very hard fought contest with Salisbury dominating territory which saw them run out winners by two tries to none. As runners up the lads were presented with medals by former Samoan and Gloucester player Junior Paramore.
 
Throughout the tournament we saw outstanding play from the Hereford forwards who rucked and mauled powerfully winning plenty of good quality ball which the backs were able to exploit with accurate fast passing to put players into space. The physical challenge posed by  the opposition teams was immense and all the Hereford squad can be proud of the way they responded to that challenge.

 
Game 1 - 14-19 Trys Scored : Jack, Zak and Freddy
Game 2 - 19-21 Trys Scored : Max, Jack and Zak
 
On a beautiful Sunday morning Hereford Under 11's descended upon Drybrook Rugby Club.  It was a fantastic turn out so we were looking forward to a good two matches ahead of us. 
During the first match we saw trys scored by Jack, Zak and Max, with Freddy topping things off with 2 great conversions.  It was great to see the team pulling together and actually listening to each other on the pitch.  Fantastic breaks by many of the players resulting in a close but brilliant win.  The second match saw another three tries scored, with Freddy not missing a single conversion.  Some of the less experienced players got a real taste of things in this match and gelled perfectly into the mould.  We were winning 0-21 after the first half, so faced a clearly more determine Drybrook in the second half, and after not scoring any points we just managed to get another win, literally by the skin of our teeth !!! Well done team."

Stourbridge v Hereford
Friday, 14 August 2009
 
Score 0 - 42 (game one)
 
Try Scorers - Jack, Freddy, Callum, and Max
 
On a very wet soggy visit to Stourbridge, Hereford Under 11's came out in force for their first match of the season.  The previous training weeks had clearly payed off with the team coming together performing amazing tackles, switches and demonstrating good passing skills.  After keeping us on edge for the first part of the match, clearly under pressure from the home team, the Under 11's seem to explode on the pitch and the results really were spectacular.  Well done team you have set a good standard for the rest of the season !!!
 
 
Hereford v Malvern
Friday, 14 August 2009
 
Score  28 - 19 (game one)
 
Try Scorers - Zak, Jack and Freddy
 
A glorious morning for a game of rugby !!! The sun was shining and the spirits were high with the Under 11's this week.  The team came out in their usual force but were in for a shock with the opposition coming back like for like - the match looked doomed in the first half, with the opposition taking most of the points, however, in the second half they seemed to have listened to the half time advice and really took control of the game.  A massive team effort, with every player putting in 100% and helping towards the final score, and a lot of hoarse parents on the side lines after  shouting support.
 

Hereford v Bredon
Friday, 14 August 2009
 
Score - 12 - 14 (game one)   Score - 7 - 15 (game two)
 
Try Scorers - Jack
 
A chilly morning down at Wyeside this week, but with an undefeated season so far the boys were keen and ready to take on visiting side, Bredon.  Hereford Under 11's did start slowly and took a while to find their feet in this match, and despite coming back they were in trouble with Bredon's defence really putting a stop on things.  We were a few experienced players down this week but that was more than compensated with some of the newer team players really making an impact on the squad.  Well done boys - unfortunate result, but amazing play.  Keep it up !!