Hereford 6 pts Leicester Lions 34

HEREFORD were put on the back foot early in the game after conceding two converted tries in the opening 16 minutes against the strong Leicester visitors who are contenders for the Midlands 1 title this season.

Lions, who beat Luctonians 10-0 the previous week, were always looking to attack and won by a convincing margin with four tries - all converted - and two penalties.

The well-drilled visitors led 24-6 at half-time and Hereford appeared to be in danger of being overrun. But they responded to the challenge in the second half with some spirited play which restricted their opponents to just two scores.

Fly-half Dan Yuill was an influential player in Lions' victory and he signed off with three conversions and two penalties in his last appearance before returning to his native New Zealand.

In the absence of Finbar Heavens, the versatile Jeremy Wheadon took over the full-back role for the Wyesiders and again kicked all their points with two penalties.

Lions went ahead after 12 minutes when their forwards peeled off from a lineout and drove over for flanker Ryan Dilley to touch down.

Four minutes later centre Sean Brown-Hill broke clear of the Hereford defence to add a second try, but the home team responded through Wheadon's boot in the 20th and 22nd minutes.

Skipper Jason Lewis instigated further Hereford attacks with some driving runs from the centre of the field but Lions cleared their lines and Yuill made it 17-6 in their favour with a 38th-minute penalty.

The classy fly-half then weaved his way through the Hereford defence and, when tackled by Kieron Griffiths, unloaded the ball for scrum-half and skipper Greg Fry to score on the stroke of half-time.

Early second-half pressure from Lions was rewarded after six minutes with a Yuill penalty - his last score before being replaced by Dave Power in the 65th minute.

Hereford hooker Gareth Miles and Lions lock Dan Burke were both yellow carded after a spat and while they were off the field the Leicester team completed the scoring.

A kick ahead caught Hereford in disarray and centre Karl Wesles seized his chance will a well-taken try. Power added the conversion, which completed the Wyesiders' fourth successive defeat.

They remain in third-from-bottom place, while Lions closed to within two points of leaders Broadstreet - Hereford's next opponents in Coventry this Saturday.