LEDBURY RFC are now firmly in the promotion hot-seat following a comprehensive 31-17 win at Shipston-on-Stour in Midlands 3 West (South).

The Ross Road side have now opened up a 10-point advantage over their promotion rivals with 10 games left.

George Bennion kicked over 16 of the points, while Matt Hallett scored a hat-trick of tries.

A strong Shipston side started positively, but ill-discipline soon saw them conceded two penalties, which Bennion landed.

Up the hill against the elements, Ledbury were in a great position, but a well-worked try allowed the Shipston centre to cross over in the corner to reduce the deficit to one point.

A powerful effort in the scrum, largely down to Matt Davies, Arron Almond and Kieron Jones in the front row, gave Ledbury a strong base to play from.

Continued pressure allowed Dave Bromage to set up Hallet's first try, converted by Bennion.

Shipston looked to respond, but when a pass went astray, Hallett capitalised to run 90 metres to extend Ledbury's lead to 18-5.

Before the interval, the home team converted a try before Bennion kicked over a penalty to take Ledbury into the break 21-12 ahead.

That lead was extended five minutes into the second half when man-of-the-match Bennion offloaded the ball to Hallett to extend his hat-trick.

Bennion added the extras.

Shipston responded with a try, but Ledbury had the last word with a Bennion penalty.

Ledbury are next in action next Friday (January 20) when they host Upton-on-Severn.

Bromyard, meanwhile, are now second in Midlands 4 West (South) following a 28-10 loss to Alcester.

Bromyard took the lead with a Toby Rivers penalty and Ollie Barrett try, but Alcester struck back with two unconverted tries to see the sides go into half-time level.

The home side continued to dominate and added two further tries for a bonus point win.

Bromyard host Market Drayton this Saturday in the quarter-finals of the North Midlands Vase.