LEDBURY RFC bounced back from their defeat at Old Leamingtonians to record a bonus-point win at Spartans on Saturday afternoon. 

The visitors fought bravely with 14 men at Old Lems the week before and that similar attitude was on display again as Ledbury ensured they moved on quickly.

It was a tough start for the visitors, who were camped in their own half whilst keeping the hosts at bay. But their efforts were rewarded when Dan Smith's kick forced a lineout deep in the Spartans territory and Arron Almond burrowed over from the driving maul for the first try.

Remarkably, it remained 5-0 at half-time as Ledbury's defence stood firm, defending up the slope, and kept Spartans scoreless. 

Now attacking down the hill, Ledbury began the second-half in style and fly half Tom Price opened the scoring with a fine solo try, having weaved his way through the home defence with a mazy run.

But a yellow card for Ledbury’s Ben Mason gave Spartans the impetus to force their way over for a converted try for their scrum half (7-12).

Ledbury swiftly returned fire and Price again forced his way over for his second try (7-17) and when Mason returned to the ranks, he immediately made a scorching run to set-up a scrum deep in the Spartans half.

The Ledbury pack were rampant at the scrum and the home team had no answer to their power and when a penalty was awarded to Ledbury five metres out, Ed Bennion was able to touch down in nonchalant fashion, with a Smith conversion, for the bonus-point. (7-24).

The match was slipping away from the hosts and Ledbury were taking full advantage of their mood. Tom Hill crossed for a fifth try and the match was wrapped up when Richard Watkins showed the Spartans defence a clean pair of heels to touch down.

This weekend sees Ledbury host third-placed Kidderminster in the rearranged home game at Ross Road.