Hereford 30pts, Pershore 3

ONLY one defeat in the first half of the league season and now two on successive weekends. That's the price Pershore are playing for a chronic shortage of players!

Saturday's rearranged Midlands Three West (South) clash brought another heavy defeat after the Piddle Parkers had travelled with a couple of players far from fit and replacements who were set to play in unaccustomed positions.

The visitors, though, were the better side in the first half when they scrummaged well and used the driving maul to good effect.

Robin Haines banged over his side's three points that were answered with six from Hereford.

It was a different tale after the restart when Hereford dominated with their fit and mobile forwards winning quick ball for their exciting backs.

Good support from the forwards meant that Pershore were stretched all over the pitch and they conceded four tries - two of which were converted.

The losers did take some positives from the reverse with Ben Humphries, normally hooker in the second team, showing up well at prop and Lewis Dolphin performed admirably before the pace of the game took its toll.

Alex Peel also gave his all at blindside as opposed to his usual position in the second row but shuffling of the pack is all Pershore can do to even turn out a full side on another occasion when they battled on gamely to the end.

P W D L F A Pts

Barker Butts 13 11 1 1 403 145 23

Pershore 13 10 0 3 238 201 20

Stratford 13 9 1 3 297 206 19

Hereford 13 8 1 4 259 217 17

Old Leams 13 8 0 5 207 170 16

Old Yardleians 13 6 1 6 286 257 13

Silhillians 13 6 0 7 240 221 12

Bedworth* 13 5 0 8 231 256 8

Earlsdon 13 4 0 9 182 244 8

Ledbury 13 4 0 9 185 329 8

Shipston 13 3 0 10 123 237 6

Droitwich* 13 2 0 11 144 312 2

*Points deducted.