LEDBURY were unable to pull clear in the race for promotion as third-placed Leamington kept themselves in the hunt following a terrific second-half comeback on Saturday.

The visitors scored three converted tries to lead 21-10 at the interval but Leamington produced a brilliant comeback to score three of their own and secure a vital bonus-point victory in their bid to try and catch Ledbury in second.

The visitors (second) started the day 13 points clear of Leamington in third place, knowing a victory would put them on the brink of securing promotion, but it would prove to be a frustrating afternoon for Ledbury who now lead by just nine points in the race for second.

It started well, with Arron Almond crashing over from five metres for a seven-pointer, but the hosts were soon over themselves down the blindside to bring the game to 5-7.

Back came Ledbury to re-establish their lead as another tap penalty caught the hosts napping and Ed Bennion crossed before Jack Hughes' conversion made it 5-14.

Ledbury scored a third of the afternoon when Jamie Rayfield ghosted in under the post and Hughes' conversion made it 10-21 at half-time and the visitors were well on their way to victory.

But it was a totally different second-half. Leamington came flying out of the blocks and two quick tries saw Ledbury's lead reduced to a single point.

With their tails up, Ledbury could not stop the bleeding and Leamington took a quick lineout to catch the visitors out for try number four and the bonus-point. 27-21.

Ledbury finally managed to break the momentum with a Hughes penalty five minutes from time, setting up a dramatic finish.

And they thought they had the winning try through Tom Assal, only for the referee to disallow the score following protests from the home players.

Despite their frustration, a determined Ledbury went again and after a number of phases on the Leamington line, they did manage to push themselves over the try-line, only to be held up.

And with that, the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game and Ledbury were forced to settle for a losing bonus-point.