HEREFORD built on last week’s excellent win at Old Halesonians with a controlled performance to take a comprehensive 37-10 Midlands 1 West win over Stoke on Trent.

Hereford survived prolonged pressure from Stoke to take an eight-point lead into the interval before their running passing game secured four further tries and a try bonus.

An early Josh Lawrence penalty was followed by a good forward try inside the first six minutes.

A Hereford kick to the corner was followed up by Leon Parsons who forced the catcher into touch. From the lineout the forwards drove over the goal-line and Gareth Jones touched down.

Hereford were pinned back for much of the remainder of the half but did manage the occasional break out mainly from the back three of Leon Parsons, Levi Hughes and full back James Stubbs.

Lawrence slotted a second penalty early in the second period before Hereford went through the phases with ball in hand and Callum Duncan broke through for a try which was converted by Stubbs.

Sean Day made several probing runs, but it was Stubbs who got the next score with a cheeky tap penalty in the Stoke red zone.

He converted the try himself to give Hereford a good 25-point buffer with eight minutes of normal time to go.

Stoke hit back with an unconverted try but the Wyesiders showed a patience often lacking in earlier games and from a ruck outside the Stoke 22 Gareth Jones broke away to run 30 yards for the fourth and bonus point try.

In injury time Stubbs made ground and off-loaded to Richard Preece who raced over the line for the final Hereford try, converted by Stubbs.

Even deeper into injury time, Stoke added a second consolation try.

“I am very impressed with today’s result," said head coach Sean Lynn. "The boys were outstanding.

"They showed good composure at the end to turn an eight-point half time lead into a 37-10 win, despite great efforts from Stoke.

"We were confident of a result so long as we retained the ball and played our phases. I cannot give too much credit to the boys who came off the bench and made a massive impact.

"Sean Day showed individual brilliance, Lennon Fishlock is a grafter and Matty Lawrence worked hard and carried well. It was nice to get a second home win. A great squad performance, very happy.”

Next week at Sutton Coldfield, Hereford will be keen to preserve their unbeaten away record and to prevent Sutton Coldfield from doing a double over them.