Gloucester Old Boys 31 pts Hereford 10

HEREFORD bowed out of the Powergen Intermed-iate Cup at the third-round stage against a team who have lost only once this season and are challenging for the South West 2 West title.

But coach John Watkins was pleased with his team's performance at Gloucester and said: "The youngsters, and particularly the pack, gave a spirited performance against the Old Boys who fielded a strong team which included several players who have played first-class rugby."

With the return of the seasoned lock Chris Fairley, the visitors took the game to their opponents and almost took an early lead. Winger Peter Clarke intercepted near his own line and raced away on an 80-metre sprint, only to be hauled down just short of the line by former Hereford flyer Danny Gombera.

Gloucester hit back and took the lead when they claimed possession from a lineout and drove over for an unconverted try.

Within minutes Hereford went ahead when, after a series of strong drives down the middle had sucked in the home defence, they moved the ball wide for recent Australian recruit Jimmy Crompton to mark his debut with a try. Colin Osborne kicked the conversion.

Play moved from end to end with Gloucester regaining the lead from another strong rolling maul, but were then lucky not to have a player sin-binned.

Full-back Osborne fielded the ball inside his own 22-metre area and beat a couple of opponents to burst clear. With only the opposing full-back to beat, Osborne chipped over his head but was hacked down as he went past.

Although awarding Hereford a penalty, which Osborne landed, the referee failed to punish the home player for a deliberate foul.

A lapse of concentration in the final minute of the half saw Gloucester steal a ball against the head and move it wide. Hereford were caught napping and sloppy defence allowed Gloucester to add a converted try and extend their interval lead to nine points.

Hereford competed well after the break as Gloucester used the slope and wind well to establish territorial advantage.

The visitors tired towards the end and the strong home pack won another lineout near the Hereford line and drove over for a converted try. Hereford made a last effort but Gloucester broke away to complete the scoring with a final unconverted try.