HEREFORD RFC head coach Scott Sturdy was pleased to see his depleted side rescue a bonus point despite suffering a 47-22 defeat at Crewe & Nantwich.

Tries from Joe Vaughan, Lewis Jordan and Tom Williams kept the Wyesiders level at the break before the game got away from the visitors in the second half.

However, a Rhys Roberts score with four minutes left on the clock rescued Hereford a bonus point.

“We had to make a number of enforced changes to the team this week,” said Sturdy. “For the first half we played some really good rugby in attack, scored three tries, got ourselves in at half time at 17-17 and got us in position to win the game.

“In the second half we made some really poor mistakes in defence and attack. This allowed them to make a couple of scores early on in the half and the game, kind of, drifted away from us.

“I was really pleased that the lads dug in and scored a fourth try to secure a bonus point. We have another difficult trip to Stratford next week and need now, to bounce back and put in a good performance in our last away game of the season, before finishing with two games at home.

A Crewe & Nantwich attack was able to break a couple of tackles to open the score with a try in the corner, converted from a wide angle.

Hereford responded with three tries courtesy of Vaughan, Jordan and Williams.

However, the hosts replied with a try before the break to draw level and then ran over four second half efforts to run out clear winners.

Both conversion attempts were wide. Crewe & Nantwich found more drive and reduced the deficit with a penalty goal and a try.

A Hereford attack broke down, their opponents made ground before kicking ahead and winning the race to touch down. The conversion was good and made the scores level at the interval.

Hereford never gave up and Roberts was able to drive over for an unconverted try, which secured the try bonus.