HEREFORD RFC’s youngsters were given a learning experience as they suffered a 35-17 defeat at Moseley Oak.

The first 30 minutes belonged to Moseley Oak, their well drilled pack executed a catch and drive from a lineout in the Hereford 22, to rumble over for their first try after five minutes.

A second followed on 23 minutes, when a pick and drive was pushed over under the posts and on the half hour a neat off-load saw them cross the line under the posts for a third.

All three tries were converted giving Moseley Oak the lead by 21-0 inside 30 minutes.

Hereford responded with a brace of tries before the interval, firstly Tom Williams made an intercept on halfway and raced to the try-line.

Then a well worked try started out on the left, went through hands to Iwan Holder who off-loaded from the back of his hand to Joe Vaughan, who went over in the corner. One of the tries was converted with an excellent kick in a difficult cross field wind and the teams changed ends with Moseley Oak leading by 21-12.

The hosts increased their lead with a converted try early in the second period outflanking the defence to score in the corner.

The Wyesiders lost Ewan Duncan yellow carded for ten minutes in the bin and during that period conceded a penalty try.

However, there was one last flash of brilliance from Hereford. They scored a beautiful set piece scrum move, with Bryn Goodall going from halfway.

“A tough day for the Wyesiders,” said head coach Scott Sturdy. “We had a number of youngsters playing across a number of positions, the oldest player in the pack was 28, with three 18-year-olds and a couple of 20-year-olds. It was a really good opportunity and learning experience for them.”