LEDBURY Rugby Club knocked Old Yardleians off the top of the table as the exciting race for Midlands Three West (South) honours continued.

The Ross Road outfit staged a remarkable comeback at home to win 26-21, scoring two tries in the final seven minutes to secure a dramatic victory over an impressive Birmingham side.

Yardleians looked to have done enough to win but, urged on by a large crowd following a successful vicepresident’s dinner, Ledbury refused to concede to the defeat.

They snatched the points when scrum-half Tom Houlbrooke dived over from the last play of the match.

The division is proving to be competitive and four points now separate the top four with Yardleians placed third and Ledbury fourth.

Delighted Ledbury head coach Paul Rudland said: “If spirit and determination are going to play a part in deciding the final places at the end of the season, then we can look forward to being in a very competitive position.”

After the previous week's fine performance in drawing 25-25 at fellow title-chasers Old Wheatleyans, the hosts started promisingly and centre George Bennion put them ahead with a 10th-minute penalty.

However, Yardleians began to play well-organised, structured rugby and used their slope advantage to establish a 10-6 lead at the break with a converted try and penalty countered by a second Bennion strike for Ledbury.

The visitors moved further ahead as the second-half progressed, scoring two more penalties to one from Bennion.

But Ledbury pulled level with an excellent move as experienced fly-half Kieram Hallam touched down.

Soon after, however, Yardleians scored a well-constructed try down the blind side to move 21-16 ahead with the final whistle approaching.

But this spurred Ledbury on to further efforts with winger Ali Martin registering the equalising try, setting the scene for Houlbrooke’s match-winning score.

  • Bromyard stormed to an 83-0 home thrashing of basement boys St Leonards in Midlands Four West (North) and are sixth in the 11-team table.