HEREFORD RFC head coach Scott Sturdy praised the belief of his side as they recorded a 44-19 victory against Shipston on Stour to pull off the ‘great escape’ and avoid relegation on the final day of the league season
Hereford leapfrogged Ledbury following the final day to send their Herefordshire rivals down a level for next season.
“An amazing game at Wyeside to finish the season.” said Sturdy “The Hereford team put in their best performance of the season to win 44 – 19.
“The belief shown by the players, coaches and physios has been rewarded by saving the team from relegation.
“It’s difficult to pick out individuals from today’s game, as it was truly a team effort with every player playing their part.
“From where we were several weeks ago, to pull off the string of results we have, has been an unbelievable achievement.
“The players have had to work hard this year to improve and deliver the performances needed to stay up. It truly is the great escape.”
Hereford showed their intentions from the outset and Luke Yarranton spotted a gap and crossed for the first try, Josh Wright kicked the conversion.
The Wyesiders set up another series of pick and go and Ollie Hutcheson drove over for their second try with 12 minutes on the clock, which Wright converted.
Hereford skipper Connor Sullivan was next on the charge, beating defenders to the touch down. Wright improved the try, taking the score within 20 minutes to 21-0.
Shipston eventually responded after winning a lineout and moved the ball wide to score in the corner. The conversion was good and took the score to 26-7 at half-time.
Within minutes of the restart, Hereford scored again. A break by Hutcheson was carried on by Tom Ewins who laid off to Josh Wright for a nicely executed try.
However, Hereford were reduced to 14 men when Mal Stuffins was shown a yellow card.
Shipston now had a purple patch and in a five-minute period added a brace of tries one of which was converted taking the tally to 31 -19.
Hereford wisely now decided to keep the scoreboard ticking over and opted to go for goal from a penalty in front of the sticks, which Wright duly slotted.
A break from full back Joe Vaughan, took play well into the Shipston half before he off loaded to Stephan Dyers, who accelerated into the in-goal area and touched down for the try.
After a Shipston player was shown yellow, Hereford jacked up the pressure and following more pick and go, Nathan Boden found a gap to drive over taking the final score 44-19.
The 1870s beat Kings Norton by 7-85, scorers were, tries: Dale Walters x5, Damian Miller x3, Aaron Lewis x3, Owen Robertson and Sam Roberts.
Dale Walters converted 10 of the tries. Next week the 1870s play Woodrush in the quarter-final of the North Midlands Vase, scheduled for Wyeside kick-off 3pm
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