Old Halesonians 29 pts Hereford 0 pts.

HEREFORD’S Robin Davies praised the Wyesiders back-row trio despite a heavy reverse at Midlands One West promotion chasers Old Halesonians.

“Ali McColl, James Parker and Giles Sayner got through an immense amount of work and the backs did a great deal in defence,” said the Hereford spokesman and former player. “We never gave up, but were beaten by a better team on the day.”

The game was shaped within the first 10 minutes when Hereford fell 14 points adrift.

Playing into a strong wind, Hereford conceded a try to Joe Oxford and another push-over try, both converted by Chris Hooper.

In the second period, with the elements in their favour, Hereford looked to have a good chance of overturning the deficit.

But, after 47 minutes, they fell further behind when Hooper added a penalty.

There was no further scoring until the hour mark when right-wing Luke Smith went over for an unconverted try.

Five minutes from time, the home side added a bonus point try under the posts with Hooper’s conversion rounding off the scoring.

l In midweek, Hereford bowed out of the North Midlands Cup at the quarter-final stage when they were beaten 25-12 at Wyeside by higher-graded Bournville.

Two converted tries put the visitors in control in the early stages and, although hooker Lewis Jordan touched down for Hereford after good work by Perry Pudge and Jamie Humphreys, a Bournville penalty made it 17-5 at the break.

A further penalty extended the visitors’ lead early in the second period but a forward drive paved the way for a Pudge try, converted by Fin Ralph.

Bournville pressure brought an unconverted try but the young Hereford side had their chances to cut arrears as time ran down.

l HEREFORD Colts are through to the final of the North Midlands Colts Cup after a fine 21-0 win at a strong Moseley side.

Tim Oliver scored an early try with Sam Johnstone quickly adding a penalty to give the young Wyesiders an 8-0 half-time lead.

After the break, Johnstone converted a Matt Hill try and kicked two further penalties to round off the comfortable win.

Hereford will take on Worcester Colts in the final at Dudley Kingswinford on Sunday (3pm kick-off).