THE county's rugby clubs had a mixed weekend in the Midlands leagues.

Hereford and Ledbury both lost, but there were wins for Bromyard and Greyhound.

Hereford have found it hard on the road so far this season and five penalties conceded in the space of 15 minutes cost them dearly against Whitchurch.

Two first half converted tries and a penalty kick saw the Wyesiders playing catch-up, and despite a revival in the second half, it was not enough to bridge the gap.

Whitchurch started with determination and their pressure on Hereford's defence enabled them to open the scoring with a third minute try, which was converted.

Hereford conceded too many penalties and Whitchurch increased their lead with a penalty goal after 16 minutes.

Luckily for the visitors, Whitchurch missed two further kicks but the Shropshire side's continued pressure saw them cross for another converted try.

Hereford started the second half with more urgency, with good runs from Sean Day and Leon Parsons.

Early in the half, Morgan Goodall kicked over a penalty before the same player converted Day's try.

Whitchurch responded with another try before Goodall converted another penalty.

However, the Wyesiders were unable to score again and Whitchurch won 22-13.

After winning their opening game away, Ledbury slipped to a 25-126 home defeat to Shipston-on-Stour in Midlands 3 West (South).

But there was better news for Bromyard and Greyhound.

Bromyard maintained their good start to the season by beating Alcester 33-7 in Midlands 4 West (South), while Greyhound hammered Stourport 69-5 in Midlands 5 West (North).

John Pudge bagged a brace of first half tries for Bromyard, which were converted by Toby Rivers, before Jarrod Kidston added a third.

Alcester scored a converted try after the break, but Bromyard kicked on and added further tries from Will Teece and Rob Legge; Rivers adding the extras.

Meanwhile in Gloucester 2, Ross-on-Wye beat Cheltenham Civil Service 40-29.