A LAST minute missed conversion by the hosts saw Ledbury hang on for a 30-29 away victory at Stoke Old Boys.
Ledbury broke out from a slow start when a lengthy George Bennion kick landed his side deep into Stoke territory until captain Tom Assal was released out wide for the opening try.
Stoke replied forcing several penalties in striking distance and despite the visitors resisting Stoke eventually scored a converted try to make it 7-5.
Bennion saw his kick cancelled out before Ledbury winger Toby Rogers was set free to add a second try, duly converted with a testing Bennion conversion.
From the restart the visitors once again probed and Ed Bennion scored at the second time of asking to make it 18-10.
Cam Hunter added a further try as Ledbury looked in pole position with a 23-10 lead.
However, Ledbury ill-discipline let Stoke back into the game for them to score from a penalty to make it 23-17.
Ledbury were handed and response and Pete Smit took his chance and a Bennion conversion brought it to a fairly comfortable 30-17.
The sides then traded a yellow card each and scrums went to uncontested for a while.
The hosts would have the final say and their dominant driving maul made it 30-24 with 10 minutes remaining.
With Ledbury somewhat on the back foot, Charlie Barber-Starkey went off injured, and the visitors were handed a yellow card under pressure.
In the dying minutes Stoke took advantage and scored from their driving scrum, only needing a conversion to take the spoils.
Stoke’s kicker, who had been in magnificent form all afternoon, succumbed to the pressure and drifted just to the left to leave it at 30-29.
