Hereford Rugby Club crash 38-19 at Berkswell and Balsall in Midlands One West (From Hereford Times)

Hereford Rugby Club crash 38-19 at Berkswell and Balsall in Midlands One West

11:30am Thursday 18th October 2012 in Sport By Ian Morgan

Berkswell and Balsall 38 pts Hereford 19

COACH Mark Harris issued a warning to his players after Hereford’s winning run came crashing to a halt.

It was a disappointing afternoon for Hereford, who had been showing signs of pushing up the Midlands One West table.

The Wyesiders trailed 15-7 at the interval on their first-ever trip to Berkswell and the hosts bagged two late tries to give the scoreline a flattering look.

“I told the players that all matches in this league will be difficult if we don’t win enough ball and miss tackles,”

said Harris.

The bright spots for Hereford were the performance of powerful backrower Jonathan Smith, who bagged two tries, and a fine touchdown from James Watters.

Dan Lewis and Richard Preece were superb in the line-out and Matt Hallett made a host of good tackles.

The Wyesiders have a great chance to get back on track this Saturday when they host bottom-of-the-table Camp Hill.

Berkswell’s triumph last Saturday was built on a strong pack and they scored an early converted try after Hereford offended at a scrum.

Berkswell added a second try soon afterwards, following a series of scrums and penalties inside Hereford’s 22.

Hereford responded with a series of forward drives and, after Tom Ewins had lost control of the ball after crossing the line, further good work by the Wyesiders’ pack enabled Smith to drive over for a try which Dean Powell converted.

The hosts increased their lead when Hereford offended at a scrum and a penalty put Berkswell 15-7 ahead.

Berkswell slotted a drop goal at the start of the second period before Hereford’s hopes were raised.

Watters made a break from inside his own half, collected his own kick ahead and crossed for an excellent individual try which Powell converted.

But the hosts responded and were awarded a penalty-try, which was converted, after the Wyesiders had collapsed a scrum on their own line.

Hereford immediately hit back after they had kicked a penalty to touch and gathered the line-out.

A forward drive allowed Smith to touchdown for his second try of the afternoon.

However, the home side finished strongly, extending their lead with a penalty and then running in two late tries.