Whitchurch 25 pts Hereford 15

COACH Mark Harris was disappointed but not downcast despite a defeat which sets back the Wyesiders' hopes of a Midlands One West top-three spot.

"I'm disappointed that Whitchurch made better use of the wind in the first half than we did in the second," he said. "This, though, should be seen as just a hiccup and we still have a top three position within our grasp.

"The conditions were hopeless for our top of the ground rugby, but the boys did pretty well in the circumstances."

With a gale-force wind at their backs in the first half, Whitchurch quickly kicked two penalties and followed up by being awarded a penalty try which was easily converted.

Ten minutes from the end of the half, a second converted try took the lead to 20-0 but ferocious tackling from Matt Pritchard, Ali McColl and Scott Robinson stood out in an all-round effective defensive display kept the score down to seemingly manageable proportions.

Three minutes into the second half, Billy Sparey and Sean Day set up Jake Smithers for a try.

Although Dean Powell missed the conversion, he then slotted a penalty to cut arrears still further.

A second penalty try extended the home lead, although the kicker failed with the conversion.

Hereford remained in the game with Richard Mayson and Scott Robinson playing in Day for a try which Powell converted but the visitors still remained 10 points short of parity at the final whistle.