Kenilworth 16 pts Hereford 3

HEREFORD gave a much-improved performance against a well-drilled Kenilworth team who eventually overcame spirited opposition to maintain a challenging third position the Powergen Midlands 2 West.

The visitors were slow to settle and gifted Kenilworth a soft second-minute try when fly-half Alex Stanojevic slipped through to score and Tom Kendall added the conversion.

Hereford did not drop their heads and immediately hit back to put Kenilworth under pressure, forcing them to concede a penalty which full-back Colin Osborne landed with a well-struck kick to put his team back in contention.

Flanker Steve Scott and number eight Duncan Baille, well supported by Hereford skipper Andrew Johnson, were prominent in defence as the powerful Kenilworth stepped up their game.

Time and again they halted attacks as the home pack won a lot of good ball and their slick backs threatened to break through.

Hereford conceded a number of penalties, however, and were punished as Kenilworth's ace kicker Kendall landed three unanswered kicks before the break to open up a 13-point gap.

After the interval Hereford lifted their game, reduced the number of basic errors and forced Kenilworth back into their own 22-metre area.

Hereford scrum-half Richard Mayson was outstanding as Kenilworth weathered the visiting pressure and thundered back at their opponents, with the plucky half-back making a series of try-saving tackles.

Although there was no more scoring, Hereford mounted a series of attacks on the home line and they could consider themselves unlucky not to have gained some reward.