IN sweltering conditions, Ledbury Seconds elected to play up the slope in the first half, against an experienced and physical pack from Coventry.

LEDBURY II 21pts, DUNLOP II 17pts

Late changes meant that the pack was somewhat disrupted, and whilst Ledbury were able to win their own scrummages, they struggled in the lineouts badly. Dunlop scored first, with a well struck dropped goal, and Ledbury then managed to lift their game, with a well worked try for winger Dave Latchford in the corner.

The Dunlop pack put a lot of pressure on the home side, resulting in a further drop goal, and a penalty just before half time saw the visitors a 5-9 ahead. The game had begun to disintegrate and Ledbury badly needed some inspiration.

Thankfully, in the second half, Rob Chapman came on, leading by example he immediately made an impact on the game, settling the scrummage and disrupting the visitors lineout.

Ali Smith moved to his normal position at scrum half, and his darting runs opened up huge holes in the Dunlop defence, but poor finishing denied Ledbury the chance to put more points on the board. However pressure on the Dunlop line was rewarded with a simple try for Peter Butler, who hurled himself over the line from a short range pick-up.

Unfortunately Ledbury eased off the pressure allowing the visitors' pack to rumble their way right from the 22 to score a well earned try. This galvanised the home team, and a devastating break from Henry Blandford saw Ledbury seak into the lead 17-14. Dunlop however were far from finished a slotted another penalty to bring the scores level.

The home team was rewarded with a further penalty, and the, in the form of a try from replacement winger Stuart Perkins, converted by Henry Blandford, which saw Ledbury clear winners at 27-17.