Hereford continue fine Midlands One West form with win over Barkers Butts (From Hereford Times)

Hereford continue fine Midlands One West form with win over Barkers Butts

6:00pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Rugby

Hereford 46 pts Barkers Butts 18.

THE absence of key players Richard Mayson and Sean Day failed to put a brake on Hereford’s excellent Midlands One West run as they racked up another impressive victory.

But the Coventry-based visitors played their part in a very competitive game, despite Hereford emerging with a bonus point win.

Charlie Loughman and Ben Osborne set up Tom Ewins to crash over in the corner as early as the sixth minute, with Dean Powell adding the extras.

Powell exchanged penalties with Butts’ Tom Stokes before a Hereford passing movement involving forwards and backs ended with a Perry Pudge try. Powell again made the conversion.

Stokes landed a second penalty for the visitors but the Wyesiders pulled further away with an unconverted try from Jonathan Smith to lead 22-6 at the break.

Barkers Butts scored through Joe Richardson’s unconverted try at the start of the second period but Hereford were also quickly back on the scorebioard with another Powell penalty. The Wyesiders’ pack increased the pressure and a number of penalties, taken quickly by scrum-half Gary Preece, created opportunities for Osborne and Pudge to register tries, both of which were converted by Powell. An excellent try from Chris Priest, converted by Tom Stokes pulled the visitors back into the game but Hereford had the last say with Brad Talbot’s 64th minute try, converted by Powell.

“I was pleased with the work rate and support given to the ball carrier,” said coach Mark Harris. “I’m looking forward to Saturday’s visit to Berkswell & Balsall.”

Before the game, there was a minute’s silence in memory of Neville Ball, a club member of 60 years standing.

Ball was a former teacher at Whitecross and St Mary’s schools and a member of the Herefordshire Golf Club for many years.

Other result: Herefordshire and Worcestershire Merit League: Hereford 3rd 5 pts Ross 2nd 43 (Tries: Casey Morgan 2, PJ Muldowney, Sam Griffiths, Gareth Holdsworth 2, Harry Haile; conv: Chris Gage 4).