Hereford Sixth Form College took on USP Storm in the final of the inaugural ECRFU Cup. The game was hosted by Walsall RFC and was played on a new RFC 365 all-weather pitch.
Understandably both teams showed early nerves with unforced errors not allowing either team to control territory or possession. USP were playing with a strong breeze and utilised a good kicking game to pin Hereford back. There were some worrying signs for Hereford with USP gaining good ground through their larger and more powerful pack. A strong carry from the USP number 7 resulted in a penalty which was converted from distance for a 0 – 3 lead.
Hereford responded well and upped the tempo of the game to put USP under pressure, but small errors meant we were unable to stretch a well organised defence. Easy exits for USP with the wind meant errors were punished with large territory gains. USP got a foothold in the Hereford 22 and went through numerous phases stretching the defence from one side of the pitch to the other. Some excellent defence from Hereford meant USP had to work hard for a score which was forced wide into the corner resulting in a difficult and ultimately missed conversion attempt. USP had opened up a 0 – 8 lead and were asking questions of the Hereford teams’ ability to apply pressure. These were dually answered when after a more controlled and sustained passage of play Hereford created an opportunity which was well finished by Will Priday. Ben Deards struck an excellent conversion attempt from the touchline and into the wind but was unlucky to see his effort hit the post. The Hereford try seemed to settle the nerves and we began to stress USP at lineout and in open play. A fantastic line out drive over some 30 m galvanised Hereford and confidence began to grow. Some excellent phase play created a broken field deep in USP territory and Ben Deards was unlucky not to score after a fine carry was just thwarted by a good cover tackle from USP.
Hereford were starting to control the game and USP were finding it difficult to get out of their territory. The strong carries which characterised early USP play were becoming less effective and despite a 5 – 8 half time score the pattern of the game seem to favour Hereford with the elements in their favour for the second half.
Hereford started strongly and with some excellent carries from Josh Jukes put USP immediately on the back foot. Hereford were dominating territory and possession and USP were finding it difficult to get out of their half. The USP lineout which had been solid in the first half began to falter and excellent set piece and whole field pressure form Hereford meant it was only a matter of time before a score came.
Some excellent kicking from Deards and Ewan Lewis created an opportunity and Josh Jukes powered over from close range for a good team score. The extra points were not added but Hereford had the lead at 10 – 8 and with 14 mins to play just had to maintain form to push USP further. Unfortunately, a poor rear field decision allowed USP access to the Hereford half for almost the first time in the second half and resulted in a breakdown penalty. The USP kicker struck another fine effort to regain the lead very much against the run of play.
Facing a 10 – 11 score line Hereford responded brilliantly and put USP under extreme pressure. A good line break by Harvey Whitehead looked like it was going to result in a try, but a last gasp tap tackle brought him down just short. Hereford were squeezing USP in all aspects of play and with 6 mins remaining, after some strong carries, drew a very kickable penalty to retake the lead. Ewan Lewis held his nerve and struck a fine kick to register a 13 – 11 lead.
A good training ethic demonstrated over the year by the Hereford team resulted in a good kick off reception and exit deep into USP territory. Another stolen line out allowed us to push USP further back and with time running out Hereford created another opportunity to score in the width but a deliberate knock on by USP was not deemed sufficient by the referee to award a penalty try. He did however award a penalty and with the clock in the red Hereford were able to kick the ball dead for a well-deserved victory.
Man of the match for an excellent display was Hereford loosehead Josh Jukes.
Thanks must go to USP for providing excellent opposition on the day and for being humble in defeat.
The inaugural ECRFU Cup final will live long in the memory of all those involved and was an outstanding representation for some of the excellent rugby which takes place within the college sector.
