Pershore 12 pts Ledbury 16

LEDBURY held on to clinch a satisfying win in a cliff-hanger between two evenly-matched Midlands Four West (North) teams.

The Herefordshire team were on the back foot almost immediately with Pershore, playing into the wind, scoring the opening converted try within 30 seconds.

Pershore continued to have the better of the play for the first 30 minutes but Ledbury's defence held steady and George Bennion clawed back three points with a successful penalty.

With Ledbury's pack now starting to get on top, another Bennion penalty cut the margin to just a single point at the turnaround,

Although playing into the wind in the second period, Ledbury showed plenty of character and determination with a third Bennion penalty putting them ahead for the first time.

Then, a break by fly-half Kieram Hallam, backed up by four runners, sent Kevin Murphy over for the decisive try, converted by Bennion.

But, with some front-row players having to leave the field and scrums becoming uncontested, Pershore began to regain more possession and an unconverted try put the game back in the balance.

Pershore kept attacking but a crunching tackle by John Watkins brought a turn-over and Ledbury were able to hold on for the win which keeps them in fourth place in the table.