HEREFORD Rugby Club began their pre-season campaign with a win over Matson at Wyeside.

Both sides were ring rusty after the close season, but the powerful, well drilled Matson pack gave the home forwards a good work out.

Matson, who play in South West Division Tribute Western Counties North – the same level as Hereford – registered 3 tries and a conversion, but the Wyesider backs, who enjoyed the ideal handling conditions, ran in 4 tries.

Mark Philo, Simeon Mifflin, Matt Milsom and Leon Parsons all got tries, one of which was converted to give the Wyesiders a well earned victory by 22 points to 17.

Hereford head coach Bob Stewart said he is targetting promotion from Midlands 1 West after narrowly missed out of a play-off place last season.

"Hopefully we can go up as champions," he said.

"But we will be happy to get promotion through the play off.

"The players are fully supportive of this target and are confident of improving on last season."

The coaching team for the coming season is based around last year’s trio of Stewart, Kieram Hallam and Dan George, strengthened by the addition of Pat Hill, who has a brief to concentrate on building up the Development XV.

Hill played as an outside half for Greyhound before moving to Bromyard as player/coach.

He is currently employed by the RFU as a Community Rugby Coach in the area and will help to facilitate the bridge between our successful Colts organisation and the Senior teams.

The team will again be led by Ali McColl, supported by vice-captain Sean Day.

Training sessions are held at Wyeside every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7pm to 8.30pm and anyone is welcome.