Hereford 12 pts Bromsgrove 7.

HEREFORD booked their place in the Midlands 2 promotion play-off match after a hard-fought win over champions Bromsgrove at Wyeside.

Tries from Des White and Sean Day helped Hereford to inflict only Bromsgrove’s third league defeat in Midlands 2 West.

All the points were scored in the first half-an-hour of last Saturday’s match which Hereford knew they had to win.

Hereford took an early lead through a well-worked try from White after excellent handling by prop Ben Probert. Bromsgrove had a try ruled out for a foot in touch but hit back to open up a 7-5 advantage with a converted try.

Hereford responded well and Day restored the hosts’ lead in the 30th minute.

Day finished off a fine move and then landed the conversion to put the Wyesiders 12-7 in front.

Hereford missed two kickable penalties but their front-five were in outstanding form and worked hard throughout.

The sides played unopposed scrums for the final 20 minutes after injuries to Bromsgrove’s front-row.

Hereford held on in a tense finale to clinch the runners-up spot from third-placed Dudley Kingswinford who also collected 33 league points.

Dudley also achieved a last-day victory - 50-27 over Stratford-upon-Avon. But Hereford took second place after finishing with a better points-difference than Dudley. l Bromyard’s Queen Elizabeth Humanities College will be aiming to win a Year 11 rugby competition at Worcester’s Sixways ground today (Thursday).

The event is for the best emerging rugby schools in the region and QE are Herefordshire’s representatives.

They will meet Droitwich Spa Sports College in the semi-finals at 4pm. The final will also be played today.