HEREFORD overcame table-toppers Worcester Wanderers in a low-scoring affair at a very damp Wyeside.

The city side ran out 10-3 winners to record their seventh Midlands 1 West victory of the campaign and condemn Wanderers to only their second defeat.

Hereford enjoyed territorial advantage for most of the first half and opened the scoring when Jock Welch charged over from a well-worked rolling maul following a lineout inside the Worcester 22.

Morgan Goodall was successful with the conversion to give the Wyesiders a seven-point lead, which they held for most of the first half.

Hereford applied pressure and forced the visitors to concede a number of penalties resulting in them receiving a yellow card, with one of their forwards spending ten minutes in the sin bin.

Worcester's first visit into the home 22 saw some Hereford mishandling which allowed the visitors to force a penalty, which they scored.

Wanderers then put pressure on the Hereford receiver from the restart and gained ground with a series of penalties and finally made an attempt at goal which went just wide.

But in the closing minutes of the half, Hereford had a number of chances to increase their lead as Morgan Goodall went close with a penalty attempt.

After the break, Hereford stepped up the pressure and won a penalty opportunity which Goodall duly converted.

That was the end of the scoring but the home side continued to attack with Philo going close to adding a further try but was forced into touch inside the Worcester 22. Richard Preece took the resulting lineout against the throw and Goodall’s cross kick was just too long.

Worcester had their best period during the final 15 minutes but Hereford's defenders stood firm, led by captain Ali McColl and man of the match, Luke Yarranton.

Coach Bob Stewart said: "The hard work done in training on defence is paying off.

"In the last three home games we have conceded just nine points and no tries. If we continue to play to the conditions and win games, when the hard grounds arrive we shall rack up the tries."

Meanwhile, Ledbury advanced to the third round of the Midlands Senior Vase with a 36-12 win over Clee Hill.