HEREFORD Rugby Club once again had a home match called off after Stoke-on-Trent deemed the pitch unplayable.

The two sides were due to meet in a Midlands 1 West encounter at Wyeside last Saturday, but the Staffordshire side were unhappy that there was standing water on the surface.

"They felt it was potentially dangerous, but both ourselves and the ref who was going to referee the seconds', felt it was playable," said Hereford captain Ali McColl.

"Even an assessor felt the same, but their captain said no, they weren't playing.

"It was a boggy pitch, but everyone has played on a lot worse.

"I think we have complained to the RFC, so it's up to them now, but it is a little frustrating."

It was the second successive home game that Hereford have had a match called off after their scheduled game against Kenilworth was postponed earlier this month.

That is now due to take place next Saturday (January 2).

The Wyesiders are ninth in the division, but have only lose three games all season.

"Not getting many bonus points is a massive issue because it cost us two seasons ago," added McColl.

"But, to back that up, our defence is solid and, if we win our two games in hand and get nine points, we will be second."

The seconds ended up playing Newent on the first team pitch and claimed a comfortable 19-0 win.

Both sides did their best to play attacking rugby and entertain the crowd that remained at Wyeside.

Hereford took a 14-0 lead into the interval thanks to tries from Leon Parsons and Martin McColl, which Dean Powell converted.

The home side increased their lead after the break with an unconverted try by Parsons.

Luctonians were close to claiming their fourth straight win in National League 2 North, but ended up losing 27-18 to Stourbridge thanks to a host of second-half penalties.

The Mortimer Park side quickly opened up a 6-0 lead thanks to two penalties from Louis Silver, before full-back John Morris used his pace to chase a kick to touch down.

Silver's penalty made it 13-0 with only 14 minutes on the clock.

But Stourbridge struck back thanks to a great run from Joe Heatley, which led to Rod Petty scoring; Chris Scott converting the latter try.

And the hosts claimed a second try when Billy Harding crashed over.

John Kelly and Joe White were then sin-binned for Lucs and Stourbridge went ahead thanks to a Scott penalty shortly into the second half.

Lucs then went back in front after Morris ran over the line unopposed, but a series of penalties, all slotted over by Scott, secured Stourbridge the win.

Elsewhere, Ledbury thrashed Pershire 59-20 to remain second in the Midlands 3 West (South) table and Bromyard comfortable overcame Market Drayton in Midlands 4 West (North). Despite conceding an early try, Bromyard secured the win thanks to a brace of tries from backs Toby Rivers and Toby Gallagher.

Ollie Barrett also went over and the forwards contributed towards a penalty try.

Ross-on-Wye beat Bristol Aeroplane Company 12-6 in a tight Gloucester 2 game at Greytree.