LEDBURY protect their 100 per cent home record in Midlands Three West (South) against Cheltenham North tomorrow (3pm).

The eighth-placed side, who are one position above Cheltenham with a similar record, have beaten Shipston-on-Stour 39-28 and local rivals Upton 22-11 at Ross Road this season.

But their away form is in direct contrast with three defeats, including last weekend’s 30-17 reverse at league newcomers Bedworth in a disappointing display.

In the mid-table clash, Ledbury were buoyed by their Upton win and wanted to reproduce the same attitude and game-plan.

They hoped to defend strongly, tire the opposition down and capitalise on their mistakes.

Ledbury wanted to keep the game tight with the forwards, suck the defence in and make space for Dave Bromage and his backs out wide.

But this didn’t go to plan as Bedworth had the same idea and executed it better.

They sent their big ball-carrying forwards and the Ledbury defence gave away important yards.

Most of the first-half went this way with Ledbury hanging on with the help of some lucky decisions going their way.

Ledbury only allowed Bedworth two penalties but a converted try was eventually scored by the hosts to end the period.

The visitors responded with two George Bennion penalties to make it 13-6 at the interval.

Strong words by coach Ben Smith sent Ledbury into the second period wanting to get the likes of Pete Dixon and Elliot Bee forward more.

But Bedworth defended well and forced a turn-over, countering to get the next two scores without reply. Ledbury were in danger of crashing to an embarrassing defeat, but captain Rob Anscomb did his best to inspire with strong carries.

He seemed to spur the rest of his team-mates on and Bee grabbed their first try from a pick-and-go.

However, Bedworth tried to put the game to bed with Ledbury putting in crunching tackles through Aaron Almond and Nat Jenkins. But the visitors’ defence could not hold out and Bedworth started to run further tries in.

Ledbury showed glimpses of good defence and they never gave up in attack before having the final say.

Will Barber-Starkey’s quick tap penalty fed Anscomb and he was brought down a few metres short only for Ledbury to bag a push-over try from the resulting ruck.