HEREFORD RFC head coach Scott Sturdy feels his side need to win their remaining two home games to guarantee their place in Regional 2 next season.
The Wyesiders kept their season alive with a 36-22 home victory against Stratford upon Avon to move them within three points of Herefordshire rivals Ledbury.
However, Hereford host unbeaten champions Newent on Saturday and then Shipston on Stour on April 5.
“Results over the last few weeks show that Hereford perform better on a hard and dry pitch,” said Sturdy.
“At times, the attack was electric, scoring some well-crafted edge to edge tries with a combination of slick running lines and handling from backs and forwards.
“The performance though, was not perfect and lapses in concentration defensively kept Stratford in the game.
“Today’s result keeps the season alive for another weekend. We have two more home games to come and ideally need to win both to guarantee our place in Regions 2 next season.”
A Hereford error from the kick-off, conceded field position and an offence at the ensuing scrum gave Stratford the opportunity to take an early lead with a penalty goal.
Hereford worked their way into the Stratford 22 and their pressure forced a goal line drop out. They drove up the middle and when halted, moved the ball wide for Tom Broad to finish well with a dive over in the corner. The conversion attempt drifted wide.
The Wyesiders continued and pressure on the goal line forced Stratford to offend and the referee awarded a penalty try.
This was followed by some slick passing involving Josh Wright and Joe Vaughan before Broad touched down for his second try of the game.
From the restart, some driving forward play won a penalty. It was kicked to the corner and when the catch and drive was stopped, the ball was released and kept in hand. Mal Stuffins found a gap in the defence and crossed for the fourth try and sealed the try bonus.
Just before the half-time whistle, Tom Broad received a yellow card for an offence in the tackle and shortly after Stratford scored their first try to make it 24-8 at half-time.
Early in the second half Hereford set up a series of attacks, from one of which the ever-elusive Stephan Dyers crossed for a try to which Wright added the extra points.
Only minutes later, Wright made a long break out of his own half into Stratford territory. When stopped he laid off to the following up Luke Yarranton who crashed over for the try.
Stratford now enjoyed their best quarter hour of the game, running in a brace of tries both of which were improved, before Wright scored a late penalty to complete the 39-22 win.
The 1870s lost to a strong Cleobury Mortimer team by 21-40. Neil Margrie, Sam Roberts & Rupeni Viseinavanua scored tries and Shaun Meredith kicked three conversions.
Next week’s opposition for Hereford is Newent and 1870s play Upton, both games kick off at 3pm at Wyeside.
