HEREFORD bounced back from the disappointing loss at Stratford by beating Sutton Coldfield 12-6 in Midlands 1 West.

Two first half tries from winger Will Ford ultimately did the damage, but the Wyesiders lost their way a little bit in the second half.

Hereford, playing up the slope controlled matters for most of the first half.

Morgan Goodall kept the pack inside the Sutton half with a succession of penalties and Hereford used catch and drive to good effect, but indiscipline prevented a score.

A ten minute spell of pressure from Sutton tested the home defence and they forced a penalty which they were unable to convert. Hereford responded with some smart handling and increased their lead with an unconverted try.

Scrum half Connor Sullivan broke away from a maul and off loaded to Ford, who surged forward for his second try. Sutton reduced the deficit with a penalty goal on the stroke of half time to give the Wyesiders a 12-3 lead.

The second half was a mundane affair and Hereford rarely showed their attacking abilities.

Sutton added a second penalty goal to give them a losing bonus and apart from this, neither side looked like scoring.

“The boys made mistakes in the first half leaving several tries on the field and in the second half failed to execute the half time instructions," said Hereford head coach Bob Stewart.

"However, I was pleased that the defensive structure was almost back to the usual standard and was impressed by the spirit shown in working for each other to close off the win."

Hereford travel to Whitchurch this Saturday.