Hereford 10 pts Barkers' Butts 7

HEREFORD survived another tense finish before gaining their second Midlands 1 win of the season, writes Jeremy Finney.

The previous week the Wyesiders won by a point when Malvern missed a last-gasp conversion attempt and Saturday's result went to the final kick of the game.

This time a penalty would have pulled Barkers' Butts level, but full-back Wayne Holmes - one the best players on the day - missed a fairly straightforward kick.

Four minutes before that Finbar Heavens had put Hereford in front with a superbly-struck penalty from way out on the right, but they should have already been in a more commanding position.

The home side created the chances to have scored at least two more tries but they were let down by wild passing at crucial stages.

Hereford deservedly went ahead 15 minutes into the game when scrum-half Ben Jenkins set number eight Mark Morrison free on a forceful run. Gareth Miles was at his shoulder to accept the pass and the hooker raced through to touch down under the posts, leaving Heavens with an easy conversion.

Skipper Jason Lewis instigated a threequarter move which was only let down at the finish as Hereford tried to add to the score, but only a timely tackle by Heavens stopped Barkers' Butts left-wing Gareth Paine from replying.

Gloves Mufri also went close for the visitors but was beaten by an unkind bounce after Holmes had broken down the right and chipped the ball across field for the right-wing to chase.

Hereford, 7-0 ahead at the interval, looked like increasing their lead early in the second half but a kick ahead went astray with the try-line beckoning.

Barkers' Butts were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute and Holmes' was unlucky when his kick bounced off the inside of a post and was cleared. Seven minutes later Heavens was just off target with a long-range effort.

The Coventry club then applied a period of intense pressure, which was rewarded with a try from hooker Matt Davies in the 65th minute and Holmes added the conversion to level the scores.

This shook Hereford out of their lethargy but it took all of Heavens' kicking skills to put them back ahead with his 76th-minute penalty.

As it was, Barkers' Butts had their chance to snatch a draw but Holmes' penalty attempt went just wide of the right-hand post and was immediately followed by the final whistle.