STRATFORD-upon-Avon RFC suffered a narrow 31-26 home defeat against Hereford as the home side came away with two bonus points.
Jack Young, Charlie Powell, Dan Whitby and Andy Oliver all crossed for tries as Stratford just fell short in their penultimate home game of the season at Pearcecroft.
The result means Stratford sit seventh in the Regional 2 Midlands West table.
Hereford started the better of the two teams and were denied an early try after knocking-on in the act of scoring before edging into a three-point lead from a penalty in front of the posts.
And after the visitors missed with another penalty attempt soon after, Hereford scored the game’s first try from a scrum to the right of the Stratford posts.
However, Stratford responded with a converted try of their own as Young drove over the line following some sustained pressure on the Hereford line with Whitby adding the extras.
And the home side completed the turnaround shortly after the restart when Powell used his winger as a decoy before cutting inside from the right to dot down next to the posts with Whitby again converting.
The visitors went into the break with a one-point lead after scoring a try in the left corner following a chip over the Stratford backline.
And Hereford extended their lead with a penalty almost straight in front of the posts at the start of the second half.
Hereford went further ahead after scoring their third try from a couple of phases after a lineout following a superb 50-22 kick moments earlier and then kicked a penalty.
Stratford reduced the deficit when a strong hand-off and leg drive from Whitby allowed the centre to score in the corner but was unable to convert his own try.
And a fourth Hereford try soon after took the game out of Stratford’s reach before Andy Oliver touched down for the home side from Tom Houlahan’s pass and Whitby added the extras.
Stratford are next in action away at Worcester on Saturday, March 23 with kick-off at 3pm at Westons Fields.
