Stratford 21 pts Hereford 20

HEREFORD paid for a slow start when they suffered a damaging single point defeat at Stratford in Midlands One West.

"This was a disappointing Hereford performance," admitted spokesman Robin Davies.

"The team did not “turn up” until 20 minutes into the game and suffered from some poorly judged kicking from hand and indiscipline.

"The team took the opportunities they had well, but are not creating chances in the way they did earlier in the season."

Hereford were caught out in the early stages when a a slick backs move allowed Stratford to score an unconverted try in the corner.

And the home side went further ahead with a penalty before Hereford had even ventured into the Stratford 22.

Hereford hit back with an excellent opportunist try from Leon Parsons but Dean Powell was wide with the conversion and Stratford extended their lead with another penalty.

Although some forceful runs by Lloyd Collier, Perry Pudge and Tom Ewins tested the Stratford defence, there was no additional score before the interval.

Hereford were penalised for obstruction early in the second half and Stratford slotted the kick to lead 14-5.

Powell responded with a successful kick for Hereford before another fine individual try, this time from Tom Ewins, which Powell converted.

With Hereford now putting in some fine forward play, Matt Pritchard crashed over for the Wyesiders' third try.

Powell was wide with the conversion attempt.

As time ran down, Stratford won a series of scrums until, just before the final whistle, they moved the ball wide and scored a try underneath the posts.

The conversion was a formality to give the home side the narrowest of wins.

After the Christmas break, Hereford, who have dropped to fourth place in the table, return to action at Wyeside when they entertain Walsall, a team they beat in a high scoring and entertaining game early in the season.