LEDBURY secured more vital points in the Counties 1 Midlands West (South) with a fine 29-16 victory over Bromyard 2nds including a powerful brace from Rob Gummer.

Despite beating Bromsgrove earlier in the season it was the visitors who took the initiative in finding space with a huge clearance kick allowing the full-back to run in untouched (0-7) for first blood.

Ledbury quickly had to reset and look to regain territorial advantage, which they did with aplomb, allowing George Bennion to dummy his way over for a fine try, which he converted (7-7).

A Ledbury high tackle soon allowed Bromsgrove to retake the lead, with a huge penalty goal through the boot of their seemingly impeccable kicker (7-10).

However, from a Ledbury scrummage the hosts responded again as a driving maul saw Rob Gummer score, aided by a yellow card for the Bromsgrove 2nd row forward (12-10) leaving the hosts with a narrow half-time lead.

In the second half Ledbury made full use of the slight slope advantage and some cynical play at the breakdown by Bromsgrove gave Ledbury a penalty opportunity which Bennion was able to slot after a prolonged period of attack (15-10).

The sniping Dan Smith very nearly broke clear with a wonderful intercept, but was ultimately unable to control the ball.

Bromsgrove retaliated by themselves slotting another huge, long-range penalty to stay in touch (15-13).

It was Ledbury’s superior fitness that came into play in the last 10 minutes as a probing clearance kick from Smith made touch in good territory and saw the hosts launch an attack from an ensuing scrummage, resulting in a try for Ed Bennion, converted by his namesake George (22-13).

Not to be outdone Bromsgrove responded with a further penalty (22-16) in their endeavours to keep within reach and looked for at least an elusive losing bonus point.

It fell for Ledbury to have the last word, scoring from another well drilled driving maul, which Bromsgrove floundered to defend, gifting a second try for an exuberant Gummer, with Bennion again adding the extras (29-16).

Ledbury were good money for their resounding bonus point victory in front of a near capacity home crowd, albeit short of match practice and having to make several key changes due to injuries.

Ledbury are on the road this Saturday when they continue league fixtures away to Earlsdon to honour the frozen-postponed game postponed before Christmas.