AN expectant crowd of over 100 witnessed a highly entertaining match on Saturday which saw Ledbury overturn their higher-placed visitors and gain revenge for a heavy 44-10 loss earlier in the season.

LEDBURY 26pts, OLD COVENTRIANS 18pts

Ledbury needed to win this match to re-establish their position in the league table after suffering two defeats in previous weeks.

It was Old Covs who were first to open the scoring with a penalty in the seventh minute despite Ledbury opening with aggression and determination.

It didn't take long for Ledbury to re-group and Isiah Young proved to be the catalyst by scoring an excellent individual try, leaving a trail of Old Coventrians bodies behind him. Barrett Price converted to make the score 7-3 in Ledbury's favour.

Old Covs came back and had what seemed a perfectly legitimate try disallowed. The resulting protest from the visitors must have stayed in the memory of the ref who awarded them a try minutes later for what appeared to be double movement. The visitors extended their lead in the first half by scoring another unconverted try and two missed penalties by Ledbury meant that the half time score sat at 7-13 in the visitors favour.

The second half was a different story for Ledbury who put on a crowd-pleasing 15 man performance. Old Covs again came out strong and tried to out muscle Ledbury but determined defence through Julian Saunders, Young, Cameron Doig, Terry Bees and Dave Pickering ensured that any attack was halted.

Sustained pressure in the visitors half saw Ledbury edge one point into the lead after Bees managed to touch down from a rolling maul, which was launched from a Matt Williams secured line-out.

Ledbury then conceded their final score, the try went unconverted after the kicker hit the post for the third time in the match.

This provided the trigger that Ledbury needed and they hit back within five minutes. Rob Collins found Mick Christopherson in a specialised line out move. Collins then launched a 15 yard bullet pass to Pickering who cut through the defence with majestic ease. Price converted to make the sore 19-18.

From the re-start, Collins managed to turnover Old Covs ball and clear down field, he won the race to the ball to chip on and touch down for another try. Price converted to leave the score 26-18 to Ledbury.

Skipper, Mick Christopherson said: "The home supporters are a real benefit for us and it has made Ross Road a very difficult place for visitors."

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury entertain Birmingham Exiles in the league, 2.30pm start.