Ledbury'S first league encounter this season and in a new league was an important game to win as a good start was paramount.

LEDBURY 23pts, DUNLOP 7pts

As usual Ledbury started slowly and didn't start to fire on all cylinders for 20 minutes. coming from some good clean quick ball from the forwards, the ball was wiped out to the backs, Ledbury's midfield duo of Sean Walsh and rich hall interested the Dunlop midfield enough to allow Ollie Kaye to use his pace to get round his winger and sprint in from 35 yards out for the first score.

It was a fairly unpleasant first half with both No 7's sin binned and Ledbury's scrum half being hit from behind and having to go off for blood. Ledbury scored a penalty as well giving them the lead at half time.

The second half ledbury were playing up the hill but this didn't seem to matter as they began to take control and as they had shown in the first half there defence was solid.

The lineout worked well and Ledbury continued to catch and drive toward the Dunlop line. Dunlop's continual infringement and bringing the maul down gave Ledbury the opportunity to kick for touch and from a great series of driving mauls allowed the effervescent elder statesman of the front row Chris kitchen to go over for a try, only marred by the Dunlop No 9 being sin-binned for punching the Ledbury captain.

Scrums were a weak point this week but only due to the injured captain Mark Bell being forced to play due to the injuries to other squad members and not being able to support his props adequately.

Dunlop never gave in but their big pack tired as the game went on and their intimidatory tactics up front didn't phase the Ledbury pack who's support of the ball carrier and rucking still needs work but is improving every game.

A 22 kickout by Ledbury and a touch of luck with a charge down saw some super ball skills up the club house touchline and great support from Nick Bevan to score under the posts.

Ledbury relaxed for five minutes towards the end of the second half to allow Dunlop after some good pick and drive moves to score but by then it was to late and Ledbury's first forage into a new league was successful.

Ledbury captain Mark Bell said: "Good defence, good variety in the lineout and good movement and lines of running coupled with fitness and hard work carried Ledbury to this victory."

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury are away to last season's top spot rivals Stourport, who will test whether Ledbury can carry their good form away from home. Meet noon at Ledbury RFC. No 1 dress.