HEREFORD RFC director of rugby Bob Stewart was delighted with the endeavour his side showed in their 37-22 defeat against Midlands 1 West leaders Newport (Salop).

Elementary handling errors gifted Newport two tries, but Hereford fought back well and started playing the better rugby.

"Before the game we emphasised that the game was all about discipline to stay in the game for the first 20 minutes and then hopefully building a lead," said Stewart.

"Unfortunately it did not happen, we had the ball twice and made mistakes.

"They were clinical in our 22 and we were 12 points down within four minutes.

"But the way the boys came back was fantastic.

"We started to play rugby and looked the better side.

"We retained the ball, running through our phases, holding our structure and maintaining a good tempo.

"By half-time we had pulled it back to 15-22, but crucial mistakes killed us and when attacking we failed to finish it off.

"We were on the wrong end of a number of important decisions and had just a handful go for us, so the result could have been different.

"I believe the boys deserved to win, but unfortunately, we just didn’t score those points at crucial times.

"The learning curve for the young squad has been very steep, but I believe they will come out next season stronger.

"We need to just tidy up and have faith and confidence to play the rugby we’re playing.

"I’m sure the last two matches are going to be tough, but we certainly have the players, the style, the structure, the spirit and the ability to gain the points we need from these last matches.”

After going 12-0 down early on, Ben Osborne gathered his chip to set up Tom Ewins for a try.

Dean Powell then kicked over a penalty to further reduce the deficit.

Newport responded with a couple of unconverted tried before, right on the stroke of half-time, Hereford scored a try.

Perry Pudge made a decisive break and off loaded to Matt Pritchard to score; Powell adding the conversion.

Newport added a fifth try after the break, but Hereford started exploiting weaknesses in the away side, which resulted in Leon Parsons touching down.

Powell's conversion made it 27-22 to Newport.

Hereford came close to adding to their total on numerous occasions, but as time ran out, indiscipline gave Newport an opportunity to kick over a penalty.

And the Shropshire side sealed the win with an unconverted try in the eighth minute of stoppage time.