Match report

LEDBURY DIG DEEP TO SLAY THE WARRIORS

Ledbury under 11s made the trip to the impressive six ways to face Worcester A in what would turn out to be a fantastic mornings rugby played at a high tempo despite the slippery conditions and with great intensity just what you would expect from two quality sides going toe to toe with no quarter given to get the result.

Both sides played committed direct and open rugby when the opportunity arose, in an attempt to get the victory they both so desperately wanted.

But despite Worcester's best efforts they just could not break down a Ledbury side that continue to improve and put in another huge collective effort to leave victorious.

Game 1

Worcester A  7 - 21 Ledbury

In the first of two games played it was the visitors who couldn't believe there luck when from the kick off the ball was gathered and Hinkley carried deep with assistance from Scott and Hemingway they rumbled to within 5 metres of the Worcester line , great patience from the forwards allowed Prop Bennion to peel off the back of the maul to open the scoring . The try was converted by fly half Prestwich.

This score seemed to stun Worcester into life and they put some good phases together testing Ledburys defence who held firm thanks to the heroic efforts of Hinkley , Scott and Prosser who wrapped up and tackled with huge ferocity.

However despite Ledburys efforts the hosts finally fashioned an opening an finished neatly to register there first score which was also converted bringing the sides level.

Both sides continued to test each others defence with Ledburys Hinkley and Bennion carrying well and Rayner and Scott clearing out at the rucks , Marriot and Prestwich were busy in both attack and defence and there determination ensured the visitors finished the half all square, but were starting to get on top in terms of territory.

At the turn it was Ledbury who seemed to take the intensity up a notch following a stirring half time team talk the forwards seemed more focused , Hemingway , Scott and Hinkley in particular started to impose themselves on the game and secure better ball for the backs and it wasn't long before this effort would be rewarded.

Following a super scrum just inside the Worcester half Marriot fed Prestwich , who showed his man and straightened his run to sprint clear and touch down in the corner to score a wonderful try , the extras were added by Skittery.

With Ledbury back in front they were not going to let the hosts back in despite there best efforts .

To Worcester's credit they played some super rugby and were a real handful up front , but to Ledburys credit they never allowed Worcester to settle and this was evident with Ledburys third score when good pressure from Evans forced the Worcester player to fumble and when Marriot cleaned up and fed Hinkley on the charge ,  the back row would not be denied and touched down and when Skittery added the extras the game was all but won .

Worcester continued to probe but huge hits from Skittery , Prosser, Marriot , Best , Hinkley, Bennion and Scott would ensure that Ledbury would take an impressive hard fought victory.

Tries : Bennion , Prestwich , Hinkley 

Conversion : Prestwich x 1 , Skittery x 2.

Game 2

Worcester A  5 - 14 Ledbury 

In the second game played both sides took the opportunity to rotate there squads and introduce new faces and unlike the previous game it was Ledbury who would concede early .

Good chasing from Worcester from the kick off and some poor tackling from the visitors to get off to a flyer , although the kick was missed for the extras.

And as like Worcester in the first game it was Ledbury who now fought back , Bennion carried and tackled , Hinkley worked tirelessly and supported by Goodchap and Goulding they started to get to grips with there opponents although they could not turn there possession into points and when in at the turn a try down.

At the turn and with the players re focused on what was needed , they played a storming half Best , Bandfield and Evans looked to forge openings with the ball in hand, but Worcester's defence was well organised.

Ledbury remained patient and when new Prop Goulding got his head down and trundled on you felt something was on and when Hinkley lent his strength to the shove the visitors were within striking distance , and just as in the previous game Bennion was on hand off the back of the maul to power over and the scores were level .

Evans kicked the extras Ledbury had there noses in front.

Both sides continued to try and play expansive rugby despite the conditions , but with defences getting on top it was hard to tell which way this one was going to go.

But fortunately for Ledbury it would go there way as following great hounding by Evans and Bennion in the middle of the park Worcester knocked on , the loose ball was gathered up by Prosser who beat his man and powered over the half way line , his pass out of contact to the on hand Prestwich was sublime and the fly half despite a huge Worcester effort just had the legs to touch down in the corner and finish off a fine counter attack move.

The extras were again added by Evans and Ledbury had shown great spirit and character to come from behind against good opposition and take another fine win.

 Tries : Bennion , Prestwich.

 Conversions : Evans x 2