HEREFORD 52 pts NORTHWICH 7 pts

HEREFORD produced a dominant second-half performance to sweep past Northwich this afternoon (Saturday) in Midlands One (West), writes TOM VALE.

With the score just 10-7 at the break, six second-half Hereford tries, ensured a comprehensive victory over struggling Northwich at a sun-blessed Wyeside.

The visitors, however, dominated the early exchanges and almost took the lead in the fourth minute, when the Hereford defence managed to hold the ball up and prevent a try.

But on 10 minutes, Sam Naylor squeezed through after some neat passing play and Joel Baker converted to put the Cheshire side ahead.

That was as good as it got for the visitors who conceded just five minutes later when Sean Day touched down in the corner.

Hereford began to find their stride as a flowing move was finished off by Ben Hillstead but Dean Powell missed both conversions, and a penalty either side of half-time.

Early in the second period, Baker missed a chance to level for Northwich and the hosts didn’t look back after that moment.

A lovely offload enabled Perry Pudge to touch down beneath the posts, and then a cross-field chip saw Pudge pounce on a loose ball to score his second in just six minutes.

Powell then seemed to find his kicking boots after converting both tries and striking one in off of the post, after James Parker powered over the line.

Ben Osborne then dissected the Northwich defence and Jamie Humphreys added another try, with Powell making his fourth and fifth consecutive conversions.

Nat Thomas completed the rout and Osborne made no mistake with his one and only kick.

For post-match interviews and photographs from this match, read Tom Vale's Big Match feature in Thursday's Hereford Times.