HEREFORD RFC coach Alun Richards praised a ruthless first half display as the Wyesiders ran out 17-40 victors at Droitwich.

Five first half tries saw Hereford in complete control before seeing out the game to claim a second away win of the season.

“I was happy with our attacking performance,” said Richards.

“In the first 30 minutes we were very clinical, we made six visits to the Droitwich 22 and came away with five tries.

“This shows how far we’ve come in terms of our attacking shape. It was disappointing in the first half to let Droitwich back into the game with unforced errors, mainly from the kick-offs.

“Several turned into penalties which were used to gain field position and to get their driving maul going. I was disappointed that it was through our own errors, not anything that our opponents had created.

“At half time we spoke about going back to basics and that’s what we did. In the second half we got an early try which we felt would kill the game off and that proved to be the case.”

An error by Droitwich from the kick-off gave Hereford a very early penalty. Freddie Spencer found a good touch and from a typical Hereford catch and drive Lewis Jordan touched down for an early five-point lead.

Within 10 minutes Hereford increased their lead to 12 points. Joe Vaughan made ground in mid-field which set up a passing movement with the ball passing through several hands, before Jamie Humphreys charged over between the posts and Josh Wright’s kick added the two further points.

A Hereford error conceded a penalty from which Droitwich kicked to the corner and their catch and drive from the lineout earned them a try, which was converted to reduce their deficit.

An overthrown lineout was gathered for Hereford by Nathan Boden, who moved the ball wide for Jake Cheshire to burst through for his first try, followed five minutes later by his second, which secured the try bonus for the visitors.

Wright’s conversions of both tries extended the Wyesiders’ lead to 19 points.

Droitwich responded and their second try reduced the difference, before Dean Powell fed Freddie Spencer, who drove through the home defence for a try which Wright converted.

As the interval approached, some persistent Droitwich attacking pressure located a gap in the Hereford defensive shape, to break through for their third try to make it 17-33 at half-time.

Hereford started the second period in a much more conservative style and it was 10 minutes before some basic pick and go play created a gap for Joe Vaughan to glide through for what turned out to be the final try, Wright slotted the conversion.

The 1870s had another excellent result beating visitors Evesham 2nds by 48-18. Cal Duncan scored four tries while Ash Barsby (2), George Russell and Alex Hickinbotham also scored.