Ledbury 40pts,

KERESLEY 17 pts

LEDBURY defeated fifth-placed Keresley with great style and finesse on Saturday, which cemented their third-equal position in Midlands Three West (South).

A few changes this week saw Rob Collins move to his more favoured position at scrum half and Mark Gould start at fly half. The quick ball that Collins fed to the hungry backs, after a few weeks of ball starvation, was gratefully eaten up.

Within a few minute of the start Dave Pickering made a half break with Russ Putland in support. Pickering off-loaded to Putland who shipped the ball out to William Delamore, who scored his first try of the season. Unconverted.

Collins' desire to win was evident from the restart directing the forwards with vigour, this was rewarded when Pickering broke a couple of tackles to score his first try of the season. Gould kicked the conversion.

After poor discipline from Ledbury, Keresley were awarded a penalty, which they took quickly, catching Ledbury off guard they were back in the match.

The first half then became scrappy and Ledbury were given two penalties in quick succession that Gould slotted over. Half time 18-5.

Ledbury got off to a good start in second half with Collins looking to release his backs at every opportunity. With quick hands from ruck on the 10m line the ball fizzed down the line to Delamore, who ran around his winger to score his second off the day.

From the restart a chip from Elkington, fresh from his rest, saw young speedster Oliver Kay score in the right hand corner.

The Ledbury forwards were dominating, with Greg Powell instrumental in attack, and produced ferocious tackles to give the opposition no respite.

Kay soon added to his tally with more quick hands, after three phases of play he rounded the full back with aplomb to score under the posts. Gould converted

The second half slowed a little after the first frantic 20 minutes but after some good mauling from the pack, Collins made a half break and then with almost telepathic skills floated a sublime pass to Delamore, who with the Ledbury Roar behind him, ran a full 30 metres up the field to score his hat-trick.

With game all but won won Ledbury relaxed and let two soft tries in just before the final whistle.

This weekend Ledbury play on Sunday against Pershore in the North Midlands Cup.