HEREFORD RFC came unstuck against Whitchurch in Midlands 1 West, going down 11-6.

It means, despite having games in hand, the Wyesiders are now 18 points from the promotion places.

The early stages of the first half were well balanced, with both sides having opportunities to score, but were not clinical enough. Hereford winger Will Ford was then forced into touch, which was a feature of the Wyesiders’ attacking play.

As the half-time interval approached, both sides exchanged penalty goals to make it 3-3; Dean Powell kicking over for Hereford.

Whitchurch enjoyed their best period of the game during the first 15 minutes of the second half and earned a scrum inside the Hereford 22 following sustained pressure.

The home side move the ball wide and were able to touch down in the corner to put them 8-3 ahead.; the conversion was wide.

Hereford increased their attacking play, but were unable to register a clear scoring chanced.

Both sides exchanged two further penalties, with Morgan Goodall kicking over for Hereford, but the Wyesiders had to be content with a losing bonus point.

“We butchered too many scoring chances, too many players were not putting their all into the game and we are still giving away too many penalties which often lose us hard won field position,” conceded Hereford coach Bob Stewart.

Press officer Rob Davies added: "The Hereford forwards gained a fair share of ball with the back row of Luke Yarranton, Callum Duncan and Tom Slater outstanding.

The three quarters always looked threatening, but need to find the cutting edge of earlier seasons if they are to get back to their former try scoring form."

Hereford host Bournville this Saturday.