Firefighter Liam blazing for Ledbury against Old Wheatleyans (From Hereford Times)

Firefighter Liam blazing for Ledbury against Old Wheatleyans

12:50pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Sport

Ledbury 36 pts Old Wheatleyans 12.

LIAM Herbert and table-topping Ledbury are a cut above the rest in Midlands Four West (South).

The former Hereford and Colstons player is an ace in Ledbury’s pack as they push for the league title.

The 23-year-old barber and part-time firefighter now lives in Ledbury and was in red-hot form, scoring two tries as the hosts overpowered their nearest rivals last Saturday.

Herbert, who had a trial for England Schoolboys, is back to full-fitness after being taken ill earlier in the campaign.

“I’ve had a bit of time off through injury and I didn’t want to get into anything too serious. I just want to enjoy my rugby again and I am enjoying it.

“I had a funny turn mid-season and I had to have a few games out but the results came back saying that I was good and I am fit to play again.”

He added: “I’ve got work these days so I can’t risk getting injured playing at a higher level. I am a barber and part-time firefighter now and if I get injured, I can’t work.”

Ledbury have other experienced players in their ranks — including former Luctonians duo Tom Dines and Matt Cleland, and skipper Jock Welch. But the average of the side is just 23.

The Herefordshire outfit are playing with flair and confidence as their five-try display highlighted.

Ledbury have achieved the double over Old Wheatleyans, who have lost just twice this season.

Paul Rudland’s men have seven league matches remaining, starting with a trip to eighth-placed Alcester this Saturday.

Ledbury hammered Alcester 73-6 when the teams met in October.

Old Wheatleyans had arrived at Ross Road last weekend as the leaders but were blown away in the opening half and were trailing 24-7 at the interval.

Flanker Herbert said: “We bullied them in the first 10 minutes. They’ve got big forwards but as soon we showed what we had, they didn’t want to know.”

The hosts made a blistering start and Paul Williams burst over for their first try after a drive from a line-out had been stopped just short of the line.

Ben Smith kicked the conversion and Ledbury doubled their advantage when the lively James Rayfield ran through to score.

Smith slotted the conversion and, with the hosts in control, he successfully kicked a penalty in the 30th minute to give Ledbury a healthy 17-point cushion.

With too many handling errors from the visitors, Ledbury profited again and Herbert appeared to pick the pocket of the visiting scrum-half 50 metres out before running through. Smith converted.

Old Wheatleyans hit back to end the first-half on a high, Ross Harrison breaking several tackles to score a fine try under the posts and Rich Lowe converted.

The try gave the Coventry club confidence and, for a spell after the interval, they piled forward.

But Chris Smith broke their resolve, swooping to pick up a loose ball and running half-the-length of the pitch to touch down. Ben Smith added the conversion.

The visitors grabbed their second try of the afternoon in the 61st minute, number eight Ben Craig bulldozing his way through.

But Herbert, who played well throughout, squeezed over in the left-hand corner to round off a memorable and deserved victory.

Old Wheatleyans’ skipper Paul Wright said: “We are disappointed that we didn’t turn up but testament to Ledbury for doing the double over us. We wish them the best for the rest of the season.”