HERFORD coach Scott Sturdy was left reflecting on another ‘tough day’ at the office as his side suffered a 33-17 defeat at Malvern.
Hereford took the short journey to fellow strugglers Malvern hopeful of accumulating some vital points.
A win would have meant leapfrogging over their opponents, but despite controlling much of the game, the illusive scores that matter did not materialise.
Hereford play their last away game next week to be followed by three home fixtures and will need to take something from each and every one of these games to avoid the dreaded relegation.
“A really tough day at Malvern for Hereford.” said Sturdy “I know it’s really hard but we are at pinch point and next weekend might define our season.
“At Malvern the lineout, the scrum and some of our phased play was fantastic, but we got caught out with some really poor errors.
“The boys gave everything, but I shall ask for more, we need to work hard and give it one more chance to stay where we want to be.
Hereford started well and were attacking inside the Malvern half when a loose pass was intercepted.
The Malvern player ran the length of the field for a try, which was converted to take a seven-point lead.
The Wyesiders responded and equalised, when some quick thinking saw Mal Stuffins sneak a try off the back of a maul, Josh Wright added the extra points.
In the run up to the interval Malvern added two further tries, one of which was improved and the teams changed ends with Malvern leading by 19-7.
An independent spectator must have wondered why, when they had the better of possession and field position were Hereford in arrears?
Early in the second period Hereford were awarded a couple of penalties, one of which Iwan Holder landed.
Hereford were making good use of their possession to set up attacks, but again, a pass was intercepted.
Despite a fantastic effort from Josh Wright in tracking back to make a tackle, the off-load was good and Malvern added a fourth try and conversion.
In response, the Wyesiders moved the ball wide and Stephan Dyers squeezed over in the corner and to save time, Iwan Holder slotted the conversion with a great drop kick from the touchline.
Hereford received the ball from the kick-off, but lost it in contact giving Malvern the opportunity to rub salt in the wound, which they duly did with a final try, taking the score to 33-17.
Hereford had more possession and plenty of territory throughout but were not clinical where it matters.
The 1870s took on the Malvern seconds at Wyeside and came away with a convincing 33-5 victory.
Try scorers for the 1870s Harrison Colgan, Leon Parsons, Jake Canon and Jake Cheshire (2), while Sam Roberts kicked four conversions. Next week HRFC travel to Old Halesonians and the 1870s travel to Bourneville.
“What a great result for the 1870s, congratulations to the boys that put in such a fine performance,” added Sturdy.
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