EWAN Bell bagged a hat-trick as Hereford rounded off their Gerrard West of England and South Wales Premier League Division 3 campaign with a fine 4-1 victory over visiting Bath Buccaneers, and a third placed finish in the league table.

Although Hereford were much the stronger side throughout, the visitors were dangerous on the break and only some excellent saves from home goalkeeper Jim Wallis stopped them from opening the scoring.

Leigham Hayde set up Hereford's opening goal with a crisp drive which was heading for the bottom corner but was poached by Bell with a close range deflection. Minutes later, Hayde deservedly got on the scoresheet when his goalbound shot was helped over the line by a defender.

After the break Bath took advantage of a defensive mix-up to reduce arrears, but Hereford hit back and Bell netted twice to complete his hat-trick and a deserved victory.

North Division 1 champions Devizes proved too strong for visiting Leominster who put up a brave fight but eventually succumbed to the pace and skill of their Wiltshire hosts.

The early exchanges were even but two goals in quick succession, both from short corners, put Devizes in control at the break.

Leominster created chances but both Maurice Hazleman and Josh Watkins failed to hit the target, with their hosts bagging a third goal to edge further ahead. Matt Cook gave Leominster hope with a superb run and finish, but when Rhys Price received a 'double' yellow card for dissent, Devizes took advantage to net two more goals, but determined goalkeeping from youngster James Fortnum kept the out in the final quarter.

Hereford 3rd travelled to Cleevillians for a very physical Hereford and Gloucester 1 clash which ended at 6-4 in the home side's favour. The visitors opened the scoring when Luke Appleby followed up to volley home a deflection from a defender's stick, but the hosts struck three goals without reply to give them the edge at the break.

A further goal after the interval extended the home lead but strikes from Nick Ford and Charlie Jones closed the gap to a single goal. However Cleevillians netted two more goals to create a three-goal cushion, and although Richard Wenham converted a short corner 15 minutes from time, the home defence held out for victory.

Leominster 2nd entertained their Lansdown 3rd in an entertaining game that produced 10 goals, unfortunately seven of them for the visitors. Lansdown were quickly in their stride to open the scoring with a well-taken goal, but Leominster hit back to level through Martin Janes.

Lansdown had the better of play in the second quarter to net twice for 3-1 interval lead, but Duncan Trumper struck soon after the restart to give Leominster hope. Unfortunately Leominster's challenge faded and the visitors put the result beyond doubt with four more goals before Lee Ellesmore bagged a late consolation goal.

Hereford 2nd travelled to Gloucestershire but found their Stroud counterparts too strong and went down 4-1.

In Hereford and Gloucester 2, Ross travelled to play second placed Lydney 2nd in their final league game of the season looking for a win that might have given them a third place finish in the table, but unfortunately they suffered a 6-3 reverse to slip back to fourth place.

The eager young home forward line proved to be a handful and struck twice to open up a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes. Although Richard Harbottle pulled a goal back, a third strike gave the hosts a comfortable lead at the break.

Ross felt aggrieved when two 'goals' were disallowed and Lydney took advantage to increase their lead with a fourth goal. Ross missed another couple of good chances and Lydney swooped twice to put the game out of reach with two more goals.

Ross did not drop their heads and midfielder Andy Cross gave the final scoreline some respectability with two fine, late goals.

Hereford 4th entertained Cheltenham 5th and shared the points in a 2-2 draw.