Luctonians 0 – Hereford 14
On a perfect morning for rugby Hereford lined up against our old rivals Luctonians. Hereford started the first quarter strongly and most of the play took place in Luc’s half. Whilst Hereford had territorial advantage possession was even. Both sides were scrummaging well but Hereford had the better at rucks and mauls. Honours even at the end of the first quarter.
Luc’s started the second quarter full of attacking intent and pinned Hereford in our own half. Defensively Hereford was strong and for all the pressure Luc’s didn’t really threaten to score. Towards the end of the period Hereford had some promising breaks and finished the period strongly in Luc’s half.
The third quarter saw the introduction of fresh legs in the centre and pack. Hereford started to dominate scrums and the breakdown and the backs began linking well. Hereford pressure was rewarded when Jack Fountain crashed over the line to score. Sam Westcott converted.
Hereford continued to dominate at the breakdown and finished the quarter on top.
Luc’s started the final quarter with strong forward runs but Hereford stood up well in defence. Hereford again dominated the breakdown and from a 5m scrum Mitch Henchoz at scrum half scored a wonderful individual try taking the ball from the back of the scrum and crashing over.
Luc’s had one final push at the end of the match and had two 5m penalties but were unable to penetrate the impressive Hereford defence.
All spectators agreed that they had been treated to a great morning of Rugby played by two teams demonstrating an excellent level of skill and technique.
Well done Hereford – a really solid performance.

Development squad
Building upon last weeks promising start the development squad faced up against Silhillians. During the opening exchanges Sils’ controlled the breakdown and clearly wanted the ball more than Hereford. At most rucks and mauls Hereford were turned over however, for all their domination Sil’s finished the first half with only one score.
Commitment in the second half picked up and Hereford started to dominate the contact area and scrums. The improved effort was rewarded by two scores by Connor McClaughlin and Greg Powell. Sil’s could not reply and the match finished Silhillians 5, Hereford 10.
Well done all players.
 
First team
The first team lined up against a well drilled Silhillians team knowing that a top performance would be required. The opening exchanges in the first half were pretty even and the Hereford lads handled rucks and mauls well. As the half progressed Sil’s started to dominate the breakdown gaining lots of turnover ball. Their dominance counted and they ran in two unanswered tries in the first half.
In the second half Hereford were again second best at the breakdown. Alex Martin intercepted as Sil’s passed the ball along the back line and ran in to score.
Hereford still did not compete well at the breakdown and this together with poor organisation of the backline resulted in Sil’s running in four more scores.
Final score Silhillians 30, Hereford 5.

30 sept’ 07 – Stourbridge at home
 
First game of the season and we were expecting a tough morning, Stourbridge didn’t disappoint.
Firsts 7, Stourbridge 0
The first team lined up against big Stourbridge boys. During the first half Stourbridge forwards dominated the contact area winning most scrums and rucks. Hereford stood up well and showed excellent tackling technique in open play. Despite early dominance at the breakdown Stourbridge didn’t really threaten the Hereford line.
Towards the end of the first half Ryan Green broke free from the back of a maul and drove over the line only to be held up. From the resultant 5m scrum the ball was passed out to “Greena” who this time drove over and grounded the ball. Alex Lovell converted.
In the second half Hereford improved their presence at the breakdown and competed better at the scrum.
The bulk of the play was contained in the centre of the pitch with neither side really threatening a score.
A tough physical game with good skill shown from both sides considering that this was the first game of the season.
 
Seconds 12, Stourbridge 14
Commitment was something some of these boys didn’t display last season but they cannot be accused of that today.
This was a forward orientated game and the Hereford forwards stood up well. Following good clearing up at a ruck the ball was passed well along the backs allowing Greg Powell to fly along the wing and score. Lewis Goodridge converted.
Stourbridge applied pressure and from broken play 5m out managed to run in a try which was converted.
 Half time Hereford 7, Stourbridge 7.
At the start of the second half  Stourbridge started strongly and the bulk of play was in the Hereford half. A kick out from defence caused the Stourbridge defence some problems, from the awkward bounce Greg Powell picked up the loose ball and ran over to score.
Stourbridge them applied more pressure and were pushing for a score. A quick tap at a penalty allowed Stourbridge to break through and score. The conversion was made at the second attempt and the final whistle blown
Final score Hereford 12, Stourbridge 14
A really encouraging start for this group of players.