STRATFORD-upon-Avon RFC suffered a 39-22 defeat away at struggling Hereford in their penultimate game of the season.
Tries from Charlie Powell, Ben Cole and Zak Amond proved in vain for Stratford at Belvedere Lane.
The result means Stratford sit eighth in the Regional 2 Midlands West table.
Stratford took the lead after Hereford fumbled the kick-off and Dan Whitby kicked the ball through the posts from a central position after the referee penalised Hereford at the scrum.
However, Hereford responded with the game’s first try in the corner after creating a three-on-one opportunity.
And the home side extended their lead with a penalty try after the referee deemed Jake Lowe to have committed a high tackle in his attempts to prevent the try with the player also sent to the sin-bin.
Hereford made the most of the man advantage to score their third try in the corner following a five-metre scrum.
And the home side scored their bonus point try on the half-hour mark from an attacking lineout before Hereford lost their winger to the sin-bin.
Stratford made the extra man count as Charlie Powell swerved between a couple of Hereford defenders to dot down.
However, Hereford crossed for two quickfire tries after the interval to take the game out of Stratford’s reach.
The visitors scored their second try soon after as hooker Cole drove over the line following good work from replacement Rory White.
And Stratford crossed again later in the half when Amond barged his way through a number of defenders to touch down as Whitby added the extras.
Hereford kicked a 50-22 to kill Stratford’s momentum before the home side slotted a penalty through the posts to score the final points of the game.
Stratford travel to Ledbury for their final game of the season on Saturday, April 5 with kick-off at 3pm at Ross Road.
