Semi Final time for Bees and Hereford today. Bees edged it in the last match up but what looked like a much changed Hereford team faced Bees today.
Early exchanges saw Hereford winning the territory battle and exerting the early pressure. Strong Bees defence in their 22 kept Hereford at bay. A couple of penalties kept Hereford in Bees 22 but it was only after Bees cleared their 22 that Hereford managed to find some space out wide and go over for a first converted score. Bees recover their restart and some hard yards earned before Hereford are penalised for going off their feet on the 22. Bees opt for posts and Noah draws the score to 7-3.
Halfway into the first half Hereford are on the scoreboard again. After controlling the territory Hereford attack deep into Bees 22. Bees hold firm initially but a quick snipe from the Hereford 9 sees him over from a metre out. for 14-3.
Bees still competing well and make inroads but Herefords defence holds firm thwarting Bees progress whenever they make it into the 22 and it is Hereford again that get the final score in the half which finishes 19-3.
Hereford start the second half and a Bees player taken out in the air only sees a penalty. Lots of contest between the 22's eventually sees Hereford kicking through. Grounding unclear and a Hereford scrum awarded from which quick ball wide sees Hereford over again for 24-3. Best try of the game up next with a few half breaks from Hereford continued by offloads to supporting runners seeing Hereford from their 22 and over Bees line. Converted for 31-3 with over 20 minutes left.
The game could have gone a couple of ways from this point but Bees showed the commitment and determination to fight their way back to points to reflect their efforts. Persistent offences in their 22 earning yellow. A bit more space eventually allowing Bees to start to exert some real pressure. First rewarded from a strong run through traffic by Noah and a attack wide finished by Kamil to bring the score to 31-15 and finally Hereford wanting the ball off the pitch.
Hereford worthy winners today denying Bees points when in stuck in their 22 and converting their pressure into points. Strong running and supporting lines all game. Good luck to them in the final.