A YOUNG Hereford side showed spirit and resilience as they fell just short against Dudley Kingswinford in a a North Midlands Cup Preliminary Round match.

The Wyewiders lost 20-17, but the forward play, with the exception of the line-out, was pretty good, while the backs looked dangerous.

Dudley kicked off down the slope and a Hereford error led to the away side to kick over a penalty.

They then added to their score when they were awarded a penalty try after Hereford were penalised for dropping the scrum.

The Wyesiders responded with some driving forward play after Ewan Duncan won a line-out.

The ball was eventually released to Leon Parsons, who beat the cover defence to dive over for an unconverted try.

Dudley Kingswinford responded with another try before Lloyd Willcocks was harshly yellow carded for Hereford.

The away side then scored a third try before they lost a player to the sin bin.

Hereford made a bright start to the second half despite a second yellow card, this time to Luke Fisher.

However, as the game moved into the final quarter, some Hereford driving forward play forced the away SIDE into repeated offences and the referee awarded the Wyesiders a well-deserved penalty try.

As the clock moved into stoppage time, Hereford won a penalty.

However, it was moved forward 10 yards due to a Dudley player making a comment to the referee.

With quick thinking, James Stubbs took a tap penalty and was too quick for the Dudley defence.

However, the conversion was unsuccessful and Dudley claimed the win.

Matt Hill was Hereford's man-of-the-match, with Josh Lawrence, Ieuan Brown, Callum Brayshaw and Duncan also playing well.

Hereford's opening Midlands 1 West league game is this Saturday against Stoke.