Ludlow 34 pts Hereford 2nd 22

WITH Hereford's scheduled games against Bedworth called off on Friday night, the second team took the opportunity to pick up a late friendly fixture against Midlands 4 West (North) team Ludlow.

The visitors had an early chance to open the scoring but a penalty attempt by Lyndon Day drifted wide.

Ludlow hit back and, after a period of pressure, took the lead when flanker Paul Wright crashed over for a try, converted by fly-half Mark Williams.

Duncan Bailey made a break down the right to take Hereford into a good attacking position and they equalised when Tucker White put fellow back-row forward Jim Kenyon over, Day landing the conversion.

Winger James Charters made a dashing break to regain the lead for Ludlow, and Williams extended their lead with a try just before the break, but both conversion attempts failed.

Hereford made several changes during the break and this immediately paid dividends when prop Dave Thomas finished off a good break by debutant Mervyn Harris to reduce arrears with an unconverted try.

Ludlow responded and flanker Rob Evans picked up at the back to drive over after the home pack wheeled a scrum in Hereford's 22-metre area. They went further ahead when substitute scrum-half Gareth Edwards stole over, Williams failing with both conversion attempts.

White sparked a Hereford revival with a break which led to a try for Garry Preece. The visitors continued to fight back and closed the gap when centre Ceiron Griffiths broke through, the move being carried on by winger Ben Stevens who put the supporting mobile prop, Thomas, over for his second try.

Both conversions were missed and Ludlow showed superior fitness to finish off their plucky visitors with a second try from flanker Rob Evans, the conversion from Williams completing the scoring.