Ledbury Rugby Club edged a very competitive fixture to gain a vital two Midlands Three West (South) points despite putting in a disappointing first-half performance.

LEDBURY 20pts, DROITWICH 15pts

Ledbury, missing four key players, started the better of the sides with forwards Gareth Rowlands and Chris Lewins both going on powerful runs and scrum-half Barrett Price sniping round the fringes regularly.

Droitwich grew in confidence after keeping Ledbury at bay as the visiting backs began to cut loose. However, despite the positive start, within 10 minutes Droitwich were 12-0 up with a try and a converted try from their fly half. Both scores were from bold back moves which began on their own line but were aided by some poor Ledbury tackling.

Ledbury were lucky to be only 0-12 down as Droitwich wasted several good chances to build up a bigger lead.

Ledbury managed to get back into game when Olly Kaye sprinted into the corner for a score after a good move involving Rob Collins, Russ Putland and Kieram Hallam. The last five minutes of the half belonged to Ledbury as they camped in the Droitwich 22. Ledbury prop Andy Gardiner thought he had scored but the referee disallowed it for what he thought was a knock-on. The half time score was 5-12.

The second half was a scrappy affair with both sides making mistakes due to the sodden conditions. Ledbury got to within two points of Droitwich when winger Will Green powered into the corner to make it 12-10, with 25 minutes remaining.

Ledbury began to step up the pressure, the scrum was solid and the back-line began making chances. Ledbury's pressure was rewarded when Barrett Price slotted a penalty to put Ledbury one point in the lead.

The remaining 15 minutes was a tense affair, the Droitwich backs made a number of handling errors, the Ledbury line-out fell apart and a number of home side players, Chris Lewins, Simon Christian and Rob Collins were all struggling with injuries.

Droitwich, with eight minutes to play, were awarded a penalty some 35 yards out. They decided to kick for goal, the brave decision paid off, taking Droitwich into a 15-13 lead.

Ledbury threw everything at Droitwich and were rewarded with a penalty ten yards from the try line. The forwards put in motion a well-rehearsed set piece, resulting in Chris Lewins sliding in under the posts. Barrett Price kicked the conversion to give Ledbury the lead 20-15.

With two minutes to go Droitwich played aggressively trying to steal the game, but Ledbury held firm for a well fought win.

Ledbury can be pleased with the win, but there is still plenty to do.

The next league game will be the biggest and one of the toughest games of the season when Ledbury face, for the first time in a competitive fixture, the mighty Hereford. A tough local derby taking place at Hereford on December 4, kick-off at 2.30pm.