HEREFORD continued their promising start to the season with a 17-7 victory over Berkswell & Balsall.

Morgan Goodall edged Hereford ahead with a penalty before Dave Thomas added a try following a surging drive from the Wyesiders' pack, with Goodall converting.

After the break, the visitors pressed hard to get back in the game and got their reward with a converted try.

Hereford had to work hard to recover their lead. Connor Sullivan and Goodall moved the ball wide and a long pass found Mark Philo who outpaced the Berkswell defence to score.

Goodall and Richard Preece then pressed hard to add to the scoreline before, in the closing minutes, Berkswell came close to reducing the deficit but their kicker was short and then wide with penalty attempts.

Coach Kieram Hallam was pleased with the improvement shown, particularly by the scrum, but says this weekend's game will be an ideal test.

“Next week's game at Crewe and Nantwich could be the yardstick by which we measure the season’s further expectations”, he said.