HEREFORD’S lingering hopes of a Midlands 1 West play-off place were extinguished by a 26-7 defeat at relegation-threatened Old Silhillians.

It was arguably their worst display of the season and they will be keen to put it behind them when they host Stoke in their final game this weekend.

Hard-running Silhillians controlled the first half, intercepting a careless pass in the first five minutes to take a seven-point lead with a converted try.

Though Hereford set up several promising platforms they rarely got beyond the halfway line before an error or good defence halted their progress.

The visitors faced some intense pressure, but excellent work from the back row of Matt Pritchard, Luke Yarranton and James Harris prevented Sils adding to their score until just before the interval.

When Hereford were caught offside, a cross kick saw the home right-winger touch down. The try was converted and Hereford changed ends 14-0 down.

The second period started in similar vein and Sils quickly went over for an unconverted try.

Hereford did battle, but a Luke Yarranton drive was held up, Perry Pudge was stopped just short and Tom Ewins was unable to take a pass with the line at his mercy.

Sils added a final try with the conversion taking their lead to 26 points, but Hereford then freshened things up from the bench and it injected some belated spark.

With 10 minutes left they finally managed a score. A Simeon Mifflin kick ahead saw Matt Milsom win the race to touch down, and he then kicked an excellent conversion.