Hereford 16 Whitchurch 13

HEREFORD coach Bob Stewart was delighted with his team's second-half response after they had trailed by 10 points at the interval.

The Wyesiders fought back for their fourth straight Midlands One West victory, although they had to survive a late missed penalty before being able to celebrate their latest success.

"I was pleased with the team’s reaction to the interval discussion and to their attitude in the second half, which enabled them to dog out a result," said Stewart.

Whitchurch had the better of the first half and good pressure resulted in a try in the corner which was converted with an excellent kick.

Whitchurch maintained control and just before the first half ended Hereford strayed off-side and a successful kick completed the first half scoring.

Hereford started the second half looking the more threatening and Sean Day went over for a try, which Dean Powell converted.

Some end to end play ended with a Hereford offence at the break-down, which enabled the visitors to add another penalty goal.

Defences were generally on top, but Hereford reduced the visitors’ lead with a Powell penalty before drawing level when Whitchurch were penalised for a deliberate knock on and Powell was again successful with the penalty attempt.

Hereford came close to scoring on several occasions and their pressure told when they finally took the lead with a third Dean Powell penalty.

But, in the last minute, Hereford tried to run the ball out of their own 22, were caught in possession and penalised for holding on.

They were lucky that the Whitchurch kicker, who had landed a couple of much more difficult kicks, pulled his kick wide of the posts.

The influential Sean Day is a doubt for Saturday's visit to Barkers Butts after being forced to leave the field with a knee injury.