Crewe & Nantwich 25 Hereford 16

INDISCIPLINE was a key cause of Hereford losing their unbeaten record in Midlands One West after six straight wins.

The Wyesiders incurred a high penalty count and conceded 13 points while a player short after yellow cards for Gareth Jones and Lloyd Collier.

The visitors also finished the game with 14 men after Tom Ewins was given a red card for punching.

Hereford forced and early penalty and Ali McColl set up Jones to race through for the first try.

Two Morgan Goodall penalties increased the lead to 11 points.

Despite this excellent start, Hereford started to lose their dominance to the larger Crewe pack and an unconverted try reduced arrears.

With Jones off the field after a yellow card for a deliberate knock forward, Crewe cut the margin to three points with a successful penalty and then took the lead when some poor tackling allowed them through for an unconverted try.

Early in the second half, Hereford regained the lead when a determined run by Leon Parsons was instrumental in Richard Preece diving over in the corner. But Crewe responded with a converted try under the posts to go four points clear and then, with Collier yellow-carded, they made full use of the extra man with a further unconverted try.

"Morgan Goodall is maturing at out-half and had another promising game," said spokesman Robin Davies. "The outstanding players were three of the youngest, Gareth Jones, Tom Slater and Mark Philo and some of the other players need to man up."

Coach Kieram Hallam was disappointed with the result, but more so in the manner of the defeat.

"Perhaps this defeat is the wake-up call the players needed,” he said.

On Saturday, Earlston visit Wyeside.

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