Match report

LEDBURY JUST THE TRICK IN HALLOWEEN TREAT !

On the day more commonly known for Ghosts and Ghouls Ledbury under 12s set about laying a few ghosts to rest themselves following last Seasons draw with Bredon.

Ledbury knew that this was to be a close encounter and fully respected there opponents Bredon however the hosts were full of devilment and with the witching hour closing in ( Kick off !! ) , I know its cheesy but I am trying !! , Ledbury put in a solid performance to record a good victory against a very competitive Bredon side.    

Ledbury 26 - 7 Bredon A

From the start Ledbury attacked the visitors with great purpose and put there opponents under tremendous pressure at the breakdown.

Messer's Hinkley , Scott , Bennion , Rayner and Hemingway worked hard and imposed themselves early on with some good interplay which ensured Ledbury controlled possession .

However and despite the early pressure it was the visitors who took a surprise lead against the run of play.

Ledbury moved the ball wide through Marriott , Prosser , Evans and Best but his pass to Skittery was dropped and fell kindly for the Bredon winger to collect and run virtually unchallenged to open the scoring and with conversion added this was going to be a test of resolve for the hosts.

Ledbury also Lost Evans at this point following a high tackle from Bredon and awkward fall which forced the winger to Hospital.

If there was any doubting the resolve of the hosts then it was banished immediately from the kick off Hinkley chased down the receiver and turned the ball over Marriott fed Prestwich who dummied to pass and stepped off his left foot to break the Bredon line and finish off a fine individual try he also added the extras and we were back to square one , game on !!.

The Ledbury forwards continued to dominate and bash there away around the park but credit must go to Bredon who kept on tackling and always looked to come forward. Goodchap and Bennion made a series of good tackles and with Hinkley rucking and seeking the ball out off the floor the next score was not to far away you felt.

The forwards who seemed to be enjoying themselves made and finished off the next score Bennion,Scott and Rayner rumbled the maul on and when Hemingway peeled off the back to feed Goodchap he showed good strength to power over the line, Skittery added the extras on the stroke of half time to put Ledbury ahead 14 - 7 at the turn.

The second period began and the momentum was with the hosts , the forwards continued to rumble around Hinkley and Prosser both chipping in with there trademark tackles kept the visitors pinned deep in there own half .Harris was quick to lift the tempo and the backs really got into the game Prestwich, , Best , Hebron and Prosser making good line breaks in the backs and the forwards clearing out , quick ball kept coming and as it did then Bredon had to slow it down and were penalized several times for indiscretions close to there own line desperately trying to keep ledbury out.

But Ledbury would not be denied for long , with the forwards winning a scrum against the head quick hands to Goodchap at pace and he would not be denied crossing the white wash to increase Ledburys lead although the conversion was missed the score line was 19 - 7 and Ledbury were moving through the gears.

Ledburys backline was becoming a real handful for Bredon as several good attacks involving Skittery, Best and Prosser could have proved more fruitful if the final ball could have been more accurate then Ledbury could have put the game well beyond Bredon, however the visitors were hanging on and tackling bravely to keep Ledbury from scoring , which isn't easy when they start to click !! .

And when Bredon gave another penalty away close to there line , the quick tap to Bennion saw the prop forward bulldoze over to cap a fine individual performance and with the extras added the final score was 26- 7 , bringing a highly entertaining match to its conclusion.

A second game was played to allow Ledburys new recruits to pit themselves against the Bredon 1st side and although they tasted defeat they all came through it with flying colours especially as many of them had NEVER played before. The boys acquitted themselves well and if they continue to work hard will certainly only make the squad stronger for the long season ahead well done boys !!.

Ledbury Development Squad 0 - 26 Bredon A

This match for Ledbury was all about blooding the new squad players and giving them a chance to show what they were capable of and although assisted by 3 first team players only in each half played really well and the only difference between the two sides was a couple of missed tackles then against such a strong side in Bredon they can be very pleased with there efforts .

Bredon as expected started brightly and asked questions of the Ledbury defense and it wasn't found wanting early on as Shuker, Mence, Peters and Harris kept the visitors at arms length with some ferocious tackling.

Praise should also go to debutants Eales, Simcock , Saxelby and Beck  especaiily who scrummaged and tackled well respectively.

Lofthouse also competed well and make a couple of good breaks to take Ledbury up field.

Ledbury to be fair defended for large periods of the half but also showed glimpses of attack , Whiles and Harris linked up well and Mence always looked to attack but they were just unable to unlock a strong Bredon defense.

And when Bredon got close to the Ledbury line and despite the efforts of Prestwich , Eales and Simcock they were unable to deny the Visitors a deserved score which they duly converted taking them in 0 - 7 ahead at the break.

Ledbury continued to fight and show great spirit nobody highlighted this better than Peters who made a series of bone crushing hits close to the Ledbury line to deny Bredon.

Ledbury nearly broke clear when Prestwich went on a mazy run up field and got within yards of the line only to be stopped by some good cover tackling.

From the lineout however Ledbury where unable to capitalize on the field position and soon found themselves under pressure again.

Prestwich went off hurt and was replaced by Prosser and his fantastic tackle and strength to hold up the larger forward on the line just typified the spirit and desire shown by all the Ledbury boys who never gave up and against much more experienced players really put there hands up.

Beck looked lively out wide and made his tackles as did Saxelby but Bredons resilience would be rewarded and credit to them for keeping going as they scored three tries in the space of as many minutes as the new boys tired and missed the odd tackle this was inevitable considering how hard they worked throughout the game.

Bredon took this victory but Ledburys Squad got stronger today and in a long season that can only be a good thing for Ledbury ... not so good for Ledburys opponents !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

PS As far as i know Matty Evans hasnt broken his arm , not sure how he is but we all wish him well and hope to see him back terrorising oppositon defences soon !!.