Ledbury secured another two Midlands West Three (South) points and remain in fourth position but this was by no means an attractive rugby match.

LEDBURY 20pts, BIRMINGHAM EXILES 15pts

The visitors are struggling towards the bottom of the league and it was evident that they have become disenchanted with playing the game in good spirit.

The referee had his work cut out to maintain discipline but held firm to keep control of the game.

In a scrappy opening Ledbury were set back when Exiles opened scoring with a penalty and a converted try. Losing 10-0 and against all recent form in the league, Ledbury looked much the team in chase of the game.

By half time, Ledbury had conceded another soft try but had managed to score one of their own through Ryan Milne - his first for Ledbury 1sts. Barrett Price missed the conversion to leave the half time score at 5-15.

After harsh words at half time from head coach, Rob Collins, Ledbury began to enjoy territorial possession. The pressure showed on the visitors and soon the referee yellow carded an Exiles forward.

Ledbury capitalised on the one man advantage and used Simon Wragg's good aim in the line-out. The resulting rolling maul saw all eight Ledbury forwards trundle to the line with Isiah Young scoring his sixth try in league competition. The try went unconverted.

Further sustained pressure saw a carbon copy try secured from another well worked line-out. This time, a penalty try was awarded as the visitors collapsed the rolling maul. Try converted, the score was now 17-15 in Ledbury's favour.

Price slotted a penalty in front of the posts for the final score.

Man of the match Greg Powell said after the game: "We missed an ideal opportunity to score some serious points today. We must be able to adapt our style of play so that we can play quality rugby despite the opposition."

The majority of the first team can enjoy a well earned week off before taking on Malvern firsts in the second round of the North Midlands Cup at Spring Lane on February 22.