The Hereford Times

Play-off agony for Hereford and Luctonians

4:50pm Saturday 26th April 2008

HEREFORD’S bid for promotion to Midlands 1 ended in disappointment with a 43-13 defeat in the Midlands 2 play-off this afternoon at Wyeside.

A second-half hat-trick from Evan Morgan and a first-half brace from Dave Massarella gave Hinckley a convincing win.

Hereford started off well and raced into a 13-5 lead after just 17 minutes following two early penalties from Jeremy Grisman and a try from Gareth Miles. Grisman slotted over the conversion but was then yellow carded for an offence before Hinckley hit back.

Hinckley replied with gusto to open up a 17-13 advantage at the interval.

The Leicestershire side extended their lead through a Ben Ashfield converted try six minutes in the second half. Hinckley then seized control as Hereford were starved of possession in the second period.

Morgan scored three tries in the final 26 minutes to give the away side a deserved, but perhaps flattering, triumph.

Meanwhile, Luctonians battled hard but suffered a 22-7 defeat to Huddersfield in the Division 1 play-off.