Bees Undiluted

The County festival forced plenty of changes today so it was going to be a good test for the squad on a windy Portway morning.
Bees start with Hereford running the return successfully recycling before a knock on in midfield gives Bees a scrum. Clean ball from the scrum is sent out to midfield with Bees recycling a couple of times before the ball is sent out to Dec outside the 22, but a strong run sees him go in at the corner for 5-0 2 minutes in.
Hereford restart and a strong run from Lewis G makes good ground, Bees recycle in midfield and a strong run through traffic by Ollie takes Bees into the 22. Some one out drives from a couple of rucks sees Bees up to the Hereford line. Aggy spots a gap and dives over for 10-0 on 4 minutes.
The reaction from Hereford was positive and some strong competition followed. For the next 20 minutes with possession moving between the sides but neither side making progress into the opposition's 22. Hereford were setting the pace and style for the game with lots of frantic midfield action. Bees slowly got sucked into this pattern and when trying to run from their 22 a breakdown in midfield sees the ball pop up to one of the Hereford centres to go through and clear for a converted score on 24 minutes for 10-7.
Bees restart and Hereford run the return but are turned over in midfield and Hereford go off their feet at the next ruck. Bees run sending the ball out wide for Nathan to set up Will R for a quick juggle before going over for his first score of the day 28 minutes in 15 -7.
Hereford restart but earn turnover ball in midfield before Bees offend at the breakdown. Hereford run progressing up to the Bees 22 before being turned over. Bees return but are taken to touch. Bees knock on at the line out and Hereford scrum secures possession and some good running takes Hereford into midfield on Bees 22 where Bees offend at the breakdown. Hereford opt for the posts but the kick is thwarted by the wind and goes wide to close out the first half.
Hereford know that they are in this game and manage to keep Bees out of their 22. Play follows a similar pattern to large sections of the first with neither side exercising any real control. Plenty of action and strong defence but neither side looking to dictate how the game was going to be played. From the Hereford 22 a couple of offences from Bees take Hereford downfield and deep into Bees 22. Some quick recycling sees them go in again for a second converted score 46 minutes in for 15-14.
For Bees the Hereford score seemed to be the wake-up call needed. From this point Bees started to play with a structure that had eluded them for large sections of the game so far. The structure, created control and created scores. From the restart Bees earn turnover and makes some steady progress into the Hereford 22. Good work at the breakdown retaining possession and a couple of phases later Ollie drives over. Will L drop kicks the conversion for 22-14 on 50 minutes.
Bees stick to their patterns and structured play eventually takes them back up into the Hereford 22. The strong wind never gave Hereford any clear kicking options and whilst they earned the occasional turnover Bees were winning the territory battle., Bees nearly go over from close range but the ref is in the way! From the 5m scrum Hereford defend the pick up from 8 but after the ball is recycled Ollie goes over for a second score 27-14 on 54 minutes.
Bees run the return from the restart making initial ground. Hereford again earn turnover in midfield but again are kept under pressure. The territory again being won by Bees who nearly go in at the corner But Hereford offend on the floor. Bees send the ball out wide quickly for Will R to go in for a second 32-14 on 58 minutes.
Bees stick to their patterns from the restart and earn their reward for Will R to go in for his hat-trick score to close out the game at 37-14.
Great efforts from both sides.
Let the negotiations commence in the Robinson household.