LEDBURY RFC emerged from a war of attrition with a creditable draw at Alcester on Saturday.

With incessant rain and the referee questioning whether to call it off, Ledbury travelled with a relatively light but mobile pack.

The first half saw the visitors play up the slope and show early promise with some sparkling attacks but at the first set scrum it was clear that the pack was going to have an extremely tough afternoon.

Alcester's forwards pushed back with ease to force a penalty and fly-half Ed Gough drew first blood with a well-struck penalty.

Jamie Rayfield levelled the score with a long distance kick but Alcester responded swiftly with another penalty after a high tackle.

Deteriorating conditions were not helping either side and playing down the slope in the second half, Ledbury were helped when the Alcester tight head prop was yellow carded for a late tackle.

The referee showed no hesitation in issuing two further yellow cars to Alcester for late tackles and Rayfield levelled the score with another long range penalty but missed a couple more in the last quarter.

The last 10 minutes saw a fully restored Alcester team launch wave after wave of attacks from their powerful scrummage but Ledbury's defence held firm to the end, denying them victory.

Ledbury's second XV continued their impressive run with a 35-15 away win against Gloucester Spartans seconds.

Saturday sees Ledbury look to build on that draw on the road at home to Bedworth.

n LEDBURY Town hope to beat the weather and host Westfields reserves in the Herefordshire County League Premier Division on Saturday (2.30).