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EDF Cup
Leicester Vipers 34 Ledbury 20
Fielding a much changed side to the previous week, Ledbury took the game to Vipers right from the kick off. Luke White just failed to covert a penalty from 40 metres, but continued pressure at the first scrum saw Will Green glide over for a try which White converted.
Vipers slowly worked their way back from the onslaught of the first 15 minutes and claimed 3 points when Ledbury were caught offside.
Ledbury continued to find gaps in the home defence, with Lockwood and Wilesmith gaining valuable ground and white stretched Ledbury’s lead to 3-10, after Vipers were caught offside.
The next score came after Luke White was yellow carded for an innocuous challenge, and Vipers took advantage of the extra man to score right in the corner, but were unable to convert.
Undaunted by having only 14 men on the pitch, Ledbury then surged right back, and when quick ball was made available from a driven lineout, stand in fly-half Jack Wilesmith dodged his way through the home defence to score between the posts, but was unable to convert his own try!
Ledbury maintained their pressure until the half time whistle.
With the scores 8-15, Vipers began the second half well, dominating the set pieces. When Handley replaced Kriesel, the Ledbury scrum settled, and from first phase possession Will Green was able to weave his way from 35 metres out for another fine try which White was unable to convert.
Viper’s fly half began to pin Ledbury in their own half with some accurate kicking, but resolute defence kept them out, until Vipers worked a three man advantage and score in the corner to level the scores at 20 all.
Changes in the pack bolstered Vipers and in the last twenty minutes Ledbury were under all sorts of pressure – from a poor clearance kick, Vipers pounced on a the loose ball, and when the Ledbury scrum disintegrated, Vipers were able to score a pushover try.
In conclusion this was great experience for various Ledbury players to have a taste of first team cup rugby, against a higher placed team. Ledbury pushed them all the way until the final 10 minutes of the game.
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