HEREFORD RFC grounded out a 9-0 win against Whitchurch to move away from the Midlands 1 West relegation zone.

The forwards provided plenty of possession and the pressure exerted on the visitors' defence saw a number of penalties awarded to the Wyesiders, three of which were converted by Charlie Loughman.

"We selected a team to counter the Whitchurch forward game by moving the ball wide," said Hereford head coach Bob Stewart,

"The boys stuck to their game plan and played some excellent rugby in difficult conditions.

"We controlled the game throughout and as the game progressed we dominated possession and field position."

Whitchurch missed a penalty in the second minute, which was their only clear cut scoring opportunity in the first half.

Hereford soon took control and Loughman opened the scoring in the eighth minute after a run by Perry Pudge was halted.

Loughman slotted over another penalty in the 24th minute after a Whitchurch player was shown a yellow card for repeated offences before he sealed the win with another three-pointer after the break.

"All the Hereford forwards put in an excellent shift, in particular the front rowers, Lagi Baudromo, Luke Fisher, Nathan Bodan and Gus Lowther," added press officer Rob Davies,

"Man of them match was Callum Duncan who was playing alongside his younger brother Ewan, who at the age of 17 was making his first team debut."