TITLE chasing Ledbury scored 92 points including 14 tries as they returned to action after the Christmas break with a 92-0 win at Stoke Old Boys.

Ledbury made the most of the opportunity to run up a high score as, within minutes, it was clear that the visitors were far better drilled and much fitter, with Ed Bennion feeding Lewis Ballinger for the opening score.

Sensing that the Stoke Old Boys defence needing testing, Ledbury threw the ball wide at every opportunity with Ben Mason scoring next and then a floodgate of tries followed from virtually each restart for Ballinger, Bennion, Jamie Rayfield and Adam Draper all crossing the whitewash with Rayfield converting the majority.

As the first half progressed, Stoke Old Boys scrambled to stem the flow by whatever means and ill-discipline became an issue with the referee as they struggled in the face of the Ledbury onslaught.

George Wallin touched down next and then again Draper.

Wallin finished the scoring flurry with a further try to see Ledbury with a 50-0 lead at half-time.

Early in the second half the referee issued a red card to the Stoke Old Boys flanker, swiftly followed by one of their second row retiring injured, leaving them down to 13 men.

The second half ceased to be any sort of contest, as Ledbury rotated with numerous changes, in the meantime Draper added a further try quickly followed up with one from replacement Matt Hallett.

Every time Ledbury had possession, they looked to score against their depleted opposition.

Draper scored his fourth try and Hallett his second as Stoke Old Boys fitness was exposed. Captain Rob Gummer looked to be through but unselfishly offloaded to Bennion to avoid any doubt.

The last two tries were a perfect example - stolen possession from a Stoke Old Boys lineout resulted in a try for Dan Walters and from the subsequent kick off Arron Almond caught the ball at ankle height, broke several tackles before passing to Charlie Barber-Starkey who ran in from 30 metres unchallenged.

A red card for Lewis Ballinger for another no arms tackle right at the death was the only black spot of the afternoon for the visitors, which saw Ledbury score 92 unanswered points, with 14 tries in all.

With another home side injury, dropping them to 12 players, the referee sportingly called time with seven minutes to go, thwarting the visitors’ ambition of breaching the 100.