Sat 22 Mar 2025
This week Stratford travelled away to Hereford, knowing they would be in for a fight no matter how Hereford’s season had been going, the difficulty level was increased with two players withdrawing late due to sickness and others suffering, but determined to push through. This meant late replacements were drafted in, but more than willing to do their part.
Stratford got points on the board first, and fast, after a fumbled kick-off and then a set move off the back of an attacking scrum gave centre Dan Whitby prime position to slot the ball through the posts and go 0-3 up. Hereford however then began to get their hands on the ball and gain in confidence with plays being orchestrated through their experienced fly half. Shifting the ball each way and then working their way back to the right, some poor communication in Stratford’s defence had resulted in a three on one allowing a try in the corner. A failed conversion, but Hereford now lead 5-3.
Another slow start to a game for Stratford, aside from the penalty goal, saw clearing kicks going straight into touch and an attempted grubber kick through the line bouncing out without making any real territorial gain. Once they got moves in motion, they did however put some pressure on Hereford, though the best attack involving four phases, by now near the try line, ended when a pass was intercepted, and the ball kicked deep into the Stratford half.
Following this period of Stratford attack, when Hereford had the ball back, they managed to work a two on one down the left which resulted in scrum-half Jake Lowe having to make a last-ditch tackle by the corner flag. Though heavily debated by the onlooking fans, the referee declared this a high tackle, penalty try and sent Lowe to the bin. Hereford now led 12-3 and had a 10-minute one-man advantage with around 20 minutes of the game gone.
The next time Hereford got into the Stratford half, a succession of defensive penalties; being side entry, not releasing and ‘swimming’ on the side of a maul presented Hereford with a scrum on the 5 m line. After the maul twisted each way and broke down, a strip backwards was dived on by a Hereford forward-arguably within 1 m of the ruck-and the slight confusion added to the Stratford defenders being sucked in, allowed Hereford to spread the ball to the far-right corner and score their third try.
Stratford defended gallantly in the following 10 minutes, but with more penalties and a feeling the referee was against them they conceded one more just at the point of reintroduction of Lowe from the bin. Another penalty for side entry, and another 5 m lineout allowed the Hereford pack to slowly move the ball in towards the posts and eventually pick a hole in a staggered defensive line. This left the score at 24-3 and Hereford with a bonus point try after 30 minutes.
Despite any perceived desires of the referee, he was quick to sin bin a Hereford winger after a seatbelt tackle pulled down Stratford’s George Fox into a no arms tackle by another defender. Stratford would now have a man advantage five minutes either side of half-time.
Stratford showed what they are capable of and got a try on the board just before the half time whistle, following a flowing backs move off a right-hand side lineout. Andy Oliver, Fox’s replacement due to a head assessment, running a narrow line held the defence and outside centre Charlie Powell swerved between the Hereford defenders using his outside men as a decoy to score in the left corner. Unfortunately, the extras were missed, and Stratford would have an uphill challenge in the second half.
Stratford opened the second half with a lovely display of running rugby, starting on their own 22 by gathering the kick-off and, 15 phases later, they went incredibly close in the left corner but for a loose pass, to what was essentially a free Jamie Jones, the ball sailing out of his reach. Pretty much summing up Stratford’s afternoon, it was Hereford who went on to get the next two scores, the first off the top of a lineout and added to by a few slip tackles. The second, preceded by the return of their extra man, following a mismatch in midfield getting Hereford 5 m short and the backtracking defenders unable to stop the final dart at the line. Hereford were now 36-8 ahead.
Knowing they weren’t displaying their true abilities, Stratford went on the attack next, starting from a lineout just inside the Hereford 10 m line. Direct running lines and clean rucks, giving quick ball to Lowe allowed Stratford to build rhythm and a catch and pop off to the side by lock Zak Amond, to replacement Rory White, saw him make five extra yards and really push the Hereford defence back. For more phases in what must've been the same 5 m square of grass saw hooker Ben Cole drive over the line to score.
Having turned over a Hereford lineout, once more around the Hereford 10 m line, Stratford got the ball moving with prop Michael Dawes and winger Oliver first up willing runners. Director of Rugby Richard Pepperell had also now shifted Ethan Cook in from the wing, essentially to fly half, in a switch that appeared to have multiple benefits; getting the ball out wider, faster; surrounding youth with experience and asking Hereford’s 13 new questions with the ever-imposing Gwilym Davis now appearing in his channel more often.
With Stratford moving into the Hereford 22 following full-back Jo Cook making good ground through an exposed middle, Stratford ramped up the pressure. 4-5 dominant attacking phases later saw Lock Amond arc a run in tight to a ruck on the try line and bash his way over to score. Whitby added the extra two leaving the score 36-22 but with Stratford still lacking that fourth try bonus point try, though still having around 12 to 13 minutes to try and get it.
Not long after this, substitute Rory Spencer, who’d had his call up around 7:30 AM, made his way on the pitch to replace captain Tom Stanley and lock Geoff Dyson was reintroduced following a period on the sideline. Any momentum that Stratford then built was wiped out following a Hereford 50-22 and then a penalty against Stratford in front of their own posts, having just won the ball back themselves. Hereford used up the time, took the three points, stretching their lead to 39-22.
Stratford did go on the attack again before the end of the game, but time fizzled out following a succession of scrums and penalties. A penalty centre field just inside the Hereford 22 put the final Stratford attack to bed and Hereford were pleased to get the opportunity to recover from the onslaught and essentially guarantee a place in the league next year with the win.
Stratford: 1. Michael Dawes* 2. Ben Cole* 3. Tom Stanley* 4. Geoff Dyson* 5. Zak Amond* 6. James Walton* 7. Jamie Jones* 8. Sam James* 9. Jake Lowe 10. Gwilym Davies* 11. George Fox* 12. Dan Whitby 13. Charlie Powell* 14. Ethan Cook* 15. Jo Cook* Subs: 16. Rory Spencer* 17. Rory White* 18. Andy Oliver
*Denotes a product of Stratford minis and juniors
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