WORCESTER had to settle for a losing bonus point as Hereford came from behind to win 23-16 at Wyeside.

A superb solo score from Sam Harper helped Worcester open up a 13-5 lead at half-time but the home side battled back to do the double over their rivals in Midlands One West.

It was an emotional day for Hereford as they observed a minute’s silence in memory of club president Roger James, known as Jesse, prior to kick-off.

Hereford made a bright start and opened the scoring on eight minutes when Leon Parsons made a penetrating run into the Worcester 22 to score an individual try in the corner.

The visitors reduced the deficit with a penalty from Ollie Meadows after Hereford offended at the breakdown.

Sean Day was prominent with a couple of good thrusting runs but Worcester controlled the rest of the first half.

Harper then scored a fine try from the left wing with the help of several sloppy tackles.

Meadows landed the conversion and another penalty to establish an eight-point advantage for Worcester at the interval.

But Hereford responded at the start of the second half and their pressure soon told as a Worcester player was sin-binned.

From a lineout Gareth Jones made ground and Parsons carried to the line before Rhys Procter crossed the whitewash.

Hereford regained the lead when a break by Perry Pudge was carried on by Matt Hill who went over for their third try. James Stubbs added the extras to move his side 17-13 in front.

A Meadows penalty got Worcester within a point and the big away pack tested Hereford’s tenacious forwards.

But two penalties from Stubbs closed the game out.

Worcester are in ninth position, 14 points clear of the bottom three, ahead of Friday’s home clash with 10th-placed Stourbridge Lions.