Ledbury 62 Barkers Butts 15

Buoyed by another strong win against Camp Hill, unbeaten Ledbury travelled away for their fifth league match against Barkers Butts, sitting in 10th place. Conditions were nigh on perfect for running rugby, on a well-grassed pitch with no breeze.

Ledbury spent the first 15 minutes unable to dominate play, despite Harry O’Boyle making a strong break, but the heavier home pack were winning the scrum battle and Barkers Butts were first to notch up points from an early penalty (3-0). Ledbury responded immediately with Arron Almond driving over to score, capitalised quickly with Josh Bishop careering over for a scything solo try, both duly converted by Iolo Bubb (3-14).

Ledbury were having problems with the referee who was not controlling the fringes at maul time, yet despite this, the visitors conjured up another magnificent try from a driving maul, the second for Arron Almond (3-19). It was becoming apparent that the referee was losing control. When Ollie Delamore was well tackled on the halfway line, a hotheaded Barkers Butts centre added extras, arriving at the scene late, and was awarded a red card for his trouble.

Arron Almond (Image: Ledbury RFC)

Down to 14 men, this seemingly inspired Barkers Butts as they capitalised on Ledbury indecision deep in their own 22 to maul their way over for an unconverted try (8-19). A yellow card for Khayd Saxelby for obstruction just before half time gave Barkers Butts further renewed energy, but they were unable to increase their tally.

The second half saw Ledbury in the driving seat from the get go. The forwards battered the Barkers Butts line, only to knock on. A poor clearance kick from Barkers Butts was safely gather by Harry O’Boyle who made valuable ground and the ball was swung wide to see John Parker sear in for a well worked try (8-24).

From the ensuing kick-off, Dan Crook gathered to free Harry Harris to make a huge break who duly passed to the returning Khayd Saxelby, making amends, to score (8-29) with Iolo Bubb adding again. Ledbury’s purple patch continued as Dave Sutherland touched down after another trademark driving maul, once more with Iolo Bubb extras (8-36).

Harry Harris (Image: Ledbury RFC)

Tom Hill made a 50 metre break before being hauled down by a now desperate Barkers Butts defence. The best try of the match soon materialised from a deft Iolo Bubb cross kick on the 10 metre line which Josh Bishop snatched from the air to charge over and touch down under the sticks, again Iolo Bubb adding two points (8-43). Ledbury further increased their tally… after a prolonged period of pressure… with quick ball out wide to the recently returned to the squad, Luke Clarke, for yet another try (8-48).

A late rally by Barkers Butts saw Bubb and O’Boyle combine well to prevent a certain try. Barkers Butts were, however, able to bag a consolation try from a driving maul in the last five minutes (15-48).

Ledbury’s Josh Bishop subsequently made a huge break from the kick-off returning the favours in gifting Iolo Bubb the opportunity to weave his own way over for a self-converted try under the posts (15-55). Ledbury rounded off their resilient day with Luke Clarke once more dotting down right in the corner, Iolo Bubb converting with no trouble (15-62).

This was a hugely satisfying victory in front of a partisan home crowd. The back three of Bishop, O’Boyle and Delamore were particularly prominent in the work rate and commitment. The Barkers Butts pack gave Ledbury some problems at the set piece early on; however, robust defence cancelled out this erstwhile advantage.

Ledbury now have a week’s rest before facing Bromyard on November 14, competing in a local derby for the Cotton Cup, after a Club Lunch raising money for St Michael’s Hospice and Charlie Quinn-Luckett.