Walsall 11 pts Hereford 13 HEREFORD took an important step towards the Midlands 2 West play-offs with a well-merited and hard-fought win against their nearest rivals for second place.

And, in an unexpected twist, Hereford now have an outside chance of landing the league title with just a point separating the Wyesiders from leaders Malvern who crashed to a 20-0 defeat at reviving Bromsgrove.

Hereford have established a reputation in recent seasons for the fluency of their backs' play.

But, in wet and windy conditions at Walsall's exposed Broadway ground, it was the hard graft of their forwards which was crucial to winning the day.

Indeed, one experienced Hereford-watcher rated it the best forward display by a Hereford side in 15 years.

Hooker Gareth Miles, who took a number of strikes against the head, Jamie Bullock and the experienced Andy Johnson all had important roles to play in an attritional second half which saw little in the way of free-flowing rugby.

But it had looked rather different in the early stages when Hereford took control with a couple of well-worked tries.

After 14 minutes, some good work by the impressive Sean Day and Rob Collins sent Liam Herbert racing over for the opening score.

Although Jeremy Grisman's conversion attempt was missed in the strong and blustery wind, the centre did not have long to wait before making a contribution, slotting over a penalty from just outside the 22-metre line shortly afterwards.

Although Walsall replied just minutes later with a penalty of their own, Hereford were quickly back in control after another fine try.

Collins, whose astute kicking was a feature of the first half, sent the ball across the pitch, towards the corner where Day powered forward to get the touch down.

Grisman's conversion attempt bordered on the impossible, considering the conditions, and it was no particular surprise when it drifted wide.

A moment of indiscipline in first-half stoppage time saw Johnson yellow-carded after a skirmish and Hereford paid the penalty as Walsall reduced the arrears with push-over try.

Johnson's return early in the second period sparked a period of heavy pressure from the Wyesiders.

But this came to nothing and the visitors were swiftly forced on to the defensive as Walsall piled forward.

The rearguard action appeared to have been successful when a Walsall player was dismissed for an infringement and a penalty awarded to Hereford.

But skipper Ceiron Griffiths appeared to want to add his own particular piece of retribution and was foolhardy enough to commit this directly in front of referee Leo Burton.

Griffiths was sent off and, worse, the penalty was reversed for Walsall to cut the margin to just two points with a successful kick.

After that, Hereford used their forward power to retain the ball in a series of rolling mauls and their delight at the victory - and ending Walsall's season-long unbeaten home record - showed how crucial this win may be.

Hereford: Day; Gwynne, J Grisman, Griffith, Hallam; Collins, B Grisman; Hilstead, Miles, Probert, Preece, Bullock, McColl, Herbert, Johnson. Replacements: Skyrme, Jenkins, Mayson.

Walsall: Mould; Turner, Perrins, Barneix, Nangreave; Wood, Bishop; Hucknall, Houston, Bradshaw, Fowkes, Smith, Hazlehurst, Simpson, Halbert. Replacements: Machin, Dixon, Towe.

Referee: Leo Burton (Warwickshire Referees' Society).