HEREFORD Rugby Club claimed a much needed win in Midlands 1 West by overcoming Stoke-on-Trent 12-10.

The Wyesiders went into the game on the back of successive defeats, including a disappointing loss at home to Moseley Oak.

But with a trip to struggling Sutton Coldfield to come this Saturday, Hereford will be hopeful they can end the year on a high before the festive break.

“We went behind to two tries against the run of play, but showed the composure to come back before half time with a well worked try,” said Hereford coach Bob Stewart.

“Our defence was good and in the final minutes we had the patience to put sustained pressure on the Stoke scrum to earn the penalty try.

Due to the dreadful conditions, the game was never going to be a classic and errors were often made because of the greasy ball.

Stoke took the lead early in the first half with an unconverted try after Hereford lost possession after winning a lineout.

The away side then doubled their lead with a second unconverted try when a cross kick into the Hereford in goal area took a fortunate bounce into the path of a Stoke chaser.

The Wyesiders responded by moving up a gear and won a penalty.

Dean Powell found touch in the corner and Jamie Humphreys won the lineout.

Hereford moved the ball to centre field and the forwards pushed over for a try, which was credited to Matt Pritchard, his third try in as many games.

Both defences were on top in the second half and it seemed that the deadlock might not be broken until, with time running out, Hereford managed to force their way into the Stoke 22.

Eventually the referee awarded Hereford a penalty try which Dean Powell converted to give Hereford a narrow lead in injury time.

Meanwhile, Hereford Colts progressed to the last 16 of the National Colts Cup by beating last year’s winners, Leicester Forest 24-21.

Hereford’s try scorers were Matt Parsons, Bryn Goodall, Matt Lawrence and Ollie Cooper, with Goodall landing two conversions.