Ledbury remain top of the league after a narrow 34-21 win over Coventry Welsh.

Following a Club Captain’s Lunch, with 130 hosted by James “Slim” Seager, a suitably curry-fed and well-lubricated throng emerged to watch an U10 exhibition match before the main event.

Having managed to sneak a last-minute win in arctic conditions in the reverse fixture in November, it was always going to be a tight match.

The referee for the day was being RFU assessed, which would soon appear to have a massive bearing on proceedings.

Ledbury opened the scoring when, after winning quick scrummage ball, a spiralling pass gave Matt Hallett out on the wing his first score in the corner.

From the ensuing kick-off, Lewis Ballinger latched onto a pass on the 22 and smashed his way through several tackles, before a diagonal run saw him score in the corner, 10-0.

Unfazed by the stirring start, Coventry launched a driving maul, from which they scored a converted try.

Ledbury increased their lead when George Wallin joined the attack from fullback, striding through the visitor’s defence to put Hallett over for his second.

Coventry fought their way to the Ledbury try line, where they camped until their fly half dummied his way over for their second try, 15-14

Coventry Welsh's older, heavier, pack was containing their younger opposition, but at a cost.

During the match the referee issued six yellow cards, mostly to Coventry, for dissent.

The second half was a scrappy affair, with both sides falling foul of the referee.

Hallett was put over for his third try by a beautiful pass from Dan Smith, Jamie Rayfield adding the extras, 22-14.

Despite the cards, the visitors were able to command the set scrummages and were eventually rewarded with a converted try that saw them within a point of Ledbury.

The last ten minutes saw Ledbury redeem themselves, Ballinger crashing over for a try before Ben Stevens came on to make a huge impact.

His final foray saw him stopped just short, but Harry Harris close behind fell over the line to give Ledbury a well-earned bonus point.

The referee being scrutinised by an RFU assessor meant the match rarely flowed.

Ledbury sit top of the Midlands Three South (West) with 81 points to Old Leamingtonians’ 80, with just four matches to go.

The only home fixture left still to play will be against Old Leamingtonians at Ledbury on April 9, which coincides with the next VP lunch featuring Gareth Evans.