Hereford 30pts Pershore 3

HEREFORD continued their excellent start to the year with a conclusive win over higher-placed Pershore in Midlands 3 West (South).

Despite playing against the elements in the first period, Hereford were the first to get points on the board thanks to Jeremy Grisman's penalty.

Pershore equalised with a penalty of their own but a further successful kick by Grisman sent the Wyesiders in ahead at the interval although their lead might have been more conclusive if the opportunities for a couple of tries had not been missed.

But with the wind in their favour for the second period, Hereford dominated the remainder of the match and crossed for four fine second-half tries.

After the turnaround, a splendid 10-phase move ended with Billy Grisman darting over from a ruck 10 yards out. Jeremy Grisman added the conversion.

Gary Preece then cut in from the wing and raced through a gap in the Pershore defence to cross under the posts for the second Hereford try.

Kieran Griffiths, who, along with Billy Grisman and Ben Collier, was outstanding for the city club, then crossed for two further tries. The first of these, which was converted by Jeremy Grisman, was a particularly stunning effort while his second came as a result of a defensive error.

With just two minutes to go, however, Hereford suffered a blow when fly-half Tim Harvey, one of Hereford's most prominent players in their recent good run, had to leave the field with an ankle injury and faces a spell on the sidelines.

Set against this, though, was the return of flanker Matthew Pritchard who came through half a game with no ill effects after a 12-month lay-off.