Hereford 17 pts Old Halesonians 15

HEREFORD Colts withstood a second-half fight-back in dreadful weather conditions at Wyeside to reach the final of the North Midlands Under-19 Cup for the first time.

Despite holding a 14-point lead at the break, Hereford were pinned back for long periods of the second period and the nerves started to fray when the visitors scored two tries, one converted, within 20 minutes of the half to trail by two points after an Osborne penalty for Hereford.

The visitors attacked from every area but found the Hereford defence in outstanding form.

In the closing stages, Hereford started to drive their opponents back and only a knock-on prevented Tim Berrow from confirming the win in injury-time.

Previously, Halesonians took a three-point lead in the 10th minute, shortly after a thunderstorm hit Wyeside. But Hereford equalised when Colin Osborne kicked a 30-metre penalty and the home side went in front when lock James Metzger crashed over for a try which Osborne converted.

Hereford doubled the lead when Nick Nugent scored a corner try and then Osborne kicked a difficult conversion before half-time.