LEDBURY went down 44-21 to London Civil Service at the Chiswick Sports Ground.

Ledbury expected a tough contest, having annihilated Civil Service back in November, and the expectation on the Ledbury players faces was evident in the warm up. In the first 10 minutes Ledbury's play was exemplary.

The forwards took the game to the Civil Service, and Ledbury's new hooker Dan Rosen raced over in the corner after some impressive mauling. The game ebbed and flowed for a further 10 minutes until a fine backline move resulted in Ledbury full-back Jack Wilesmith slicing through the defence to score under the posts.

The heat was taking its toll and, despite numerous water breaks, the visitors allowed Civil Service into the game with unnecessary errors.

Civil Service fly-half Martin Wallace was able to kick them back into the game. The infringements from Civil Service continued unpunished throughout the game, and it was this particular facet that Ledbury failed to control and for Civil Service to exploit.

It was impressive to see a stalwart of the club back in Ledbury colours as Geoffrey Fletcher played well at blindside flanker. However, even his best efforts could not prevent Civil Service nudging into a 17-14 half time lead.

Playing down the slope and with the sun beating on their backs, Civil Service cranked up the pressure in the second-half, bringing on fresh legs, while Ledbury had no subs available.

The second-half quickly deteriorated for Ledbury as the official became too officious and two quickly taken tries knocked the stuffing out of the visitors.

While the pack were dominant in the set piece, they had no answer to the Civil Service backs who tore through the defence twice more before Ledbury were able to muster a little pride and a depressed Ledbury half-back Ally Smith nipped over after nice work from the back row.