LEDBURY weathered the storm and came away with an 18-15 victory at Berkswell & Balsall.

The host put early pressure on the Ledbury 22 and came away with an early unconverted try before almost taking a second.

The opposition soon had the chance to add an extra three from a penalty, but it drifted wide. Galvanising themselves, Ledbury retaliated with their own penalty attempt, impressively taken by Jamie Rayfield to make it 5-3.

However, the outcome looked ominous when Berkswell brushed aside their hosts to score a second uncovered try to take a 10-3 lead into the break.

After the re-start the hosts had a chance to be out of sight with a third try, but lost their lineout on the five-metre line.

Ledbury responded and a deft chip and chase from Matt Hallett forced a penalty.

The kick bounced off the posts, but the follow-up was good with Ledbury going down the line to let Arthur Harris score on the opposite side of the pitch.

With a hard attempt out wide Jamie Rayfield duly converted to level the score at 10-10.

This had Ledbury inspired and soon Matt Hallett was stepping up a gear again for another score down the wing to put Ledbury in the lead for the first time at 15-10.

Needing to increase the gap Ledbury had another penalty chance after Dale Brown stole a lineout and this time Rayfield’s boot to give his side an eight-point advantage.

As Ledbury scrambled to defend their lead an altercation off field resulted in a Ledbury red card but even down to 14 the defence held firm.

The hosts eventually did cross the line to draw back to 18-15, but couldn't find the winning score.

Greyhound also battled to a narrow 10-5 win at Shropshire rivals Bishops Castle and Onny Valley. Liam Webdale and James Pardoe were the try scorers for the Hereford Racecourse side.