Counties 1 Midlands West (South) - Ledbury 41-34 Leamington

Leamington were out of the blocks quickest, forcing a penalty in front of the posts, giving them the early lead (3-0).

Moments later they were pressing hard once more only to be held up over the Ledbury goal line. Ledbury won a scrum 10metres out but a driving Tom Assal was thwarted after getting isolated and pinged for holding on.

Soon another infringement for a high tackle provided the home side the platform to go through the phases and make it 10-0 after barely twenty minutes.

It took the first penalty against Leamington to trigger the first meaningful Ledbury attack.

Jack Hughes gaining massive territory, Blessing Mwaisoloka capturing clean ball in the lineout and as it went down the line full-back George Wallin broke through to make the score 10-7 with the Jack Hughes conversion.

Shortly thereafter Max Hughes intercepted and was in under the posts to make it 10-14 with his brother’s conversion.

Leamington were not going to settle for losing the lead and through an errant miss pass and poor tackling took it back to 17-14, as Ledbury were living dangerously pinned back in their 22.

A long Jack Hughes clearance moved the play up the field and following four Leamington penalties, Ledbury eventually contrived to see a rampant Tom Assal crash ball drive over the line and score (17-19) as the conversion just missed, nicking the outside of the post.

So it stayed, finely balanced, as the half time whistle blew.

Shortly after the drop out, Ledbury extended their lead with a neat Jack Hughes drop goal (17-22). Gathering a deep restart, a long clearance from 5metres saw George Wallin run down the touchline and chip through setting up a line out on the Leamington 22.

Ollie Smith spoiled their throw and quick as a flash drove over to make it 17-27.

Now well in the driving seat and the lineout firing well, Tom Manning was also in from a clean drive to stretch the score (17-34), the Jack Hughes conversion good. Leamington knew they had to pull something out of the bag to redress the balance, so it was that, with Ledbury giving away four penalties in the zone, and ultimately conceding a penalty try and a yellow card (24-34), put the home side back in it.

Leamington pressure mounted but a Jack Hughes 50-22 attempt went long and, well chased by Charlie Pallett, forced the home side to touch down in goal, giving Ledbury a scrum.

A strong carry from Tom Manning made it 24-41, with more Jack Hughes extras.

Leamington fought hard to get back into it, never faltering, and were rewarded in making it 31-41.

Ledbury’s high tackle count further gifted them a kickable penalty (34-41), all a little too late though as Ledbury managed to control the game and close it out until the final whistle came.