A SIX-GAME losing streak was ended by Ledbury with a Midlands West Three South victory against a powerful Leamington side at Ross Road.

LEDBURY 20pts, LEAMINGTON 17pts

Ledbury started the game full of passion and purpose with No 8 Tom Isles making a cracking 44 yard break to show Ledbury's attacking intentions. With this, Ledbury set up camp in the Leamington half and soon went 3-0 up with an exquisite penalty from the prolific Barrett Price. Ledbury continued to press and speedster Olly Kaye won the battle to the line from a Barrett Price chip to make the score 8-0, soon to be 10-0 with Barrett Price adding the conversion from the touchline.

Leamington fought back, but stern defence from James Handley, John Pritchard and Pete Elkington kept them out. Despite the Leamington pressure, Ledbury continued to play their own game and were rewarded with another penalty which Barrett Price slotted over to make the score 13-0. Leamington fought back and soon scored two converted tries to take a 14-13 lead.

Ledbury battled on and after half an hour mercurial fly half Henry Blandford chipped through for powerful centre Tom Green to score, with Barrett Price adding the conversion Ledbury now had a 20-14 lead. Leamington were desperate to claw their way back into the game but with the exception of a missed penalty kick they didn't get any where near the Ledbury line.

The second half started badly for Ledbury, conceding an easy penalty to make the score 20-17. Leamington continued to throw everything at Ledbury but couldn't cross the Ledbury line, with the engine room of Matt Williams, Al Dixon, Russ Putland and inspirational sub Chris Kitching all in their element, holding back the Leamington attacks.

Ledbury tried hard to finish the game with Tara Barnett being held up over the line and the brilliant Lee Douglas testing the Leamington defence. Ledbury centre Darren Lynch also probed, but couldn't breach the defence. Leamington, the class outfit that they are, continued to try and win the game, but brave Ledbury hung on for a famous victory.

Captain Matt Williams said of the game: "This result has been coming for a month. Barrett Price had a stormer of a game in his favoured scrum half role, as did Olly Kaye, returning to first team action, all the players were immense."

The first team would like to thank the passionate Ledbury crowd for all their support.

Tomorrow (Saturday) sees Ledbury on their travels to take on the high-flying Old Coventrians, all support most welcome.