ASSISTANT coach Elliot Bee has praised his side’s resilience after Ledbury Rugby Club recovered from a red card to overpower Shipston-on-Stour 39-28 in Midlands Three West (South).

The Ross Road men played most of the second-half of Saturday’s clash with 14 men after flanker Nat Jenkins was given his marching orders for two yellow cards.

Now Bee is hoping Ledbury can show their character in tomorrow’s trip to rivals Southam (3pm).

“It was a really good win for us,” said Bee. “Nat picked up a yellow card for a late tackle and got a second soon afterwards for tackling a player in the air.

“We played very well with 14 men and overturned a 12-7 half-time deficit.”

Centre Rob Anscombe is skippering Ledbury this term after influential hooker Jock Welch and the experienced Kieram Hallam left to join county rivals Hereford.

Ledbury finished strongly in an excellent six-try display against Shipston.

Dan Hicks, Andrew Beech, Aaron James, Nick Frith, Kevin Murphy and Stu Williams crossed the whitewash for Ledbury, with George Bennion kicking a penalty and three conversions.

Head coach Ben Smith said: “It’s always a close match against Southam and, hopefully, the weather will stay dry and allow both teams to play the enterprising rugby they enjoy.

“Although Jock and Kieram have both left with our blessing, we still have some very good players and I am confident we can have another good season. Our goal is to finish in the top two.”

In youth rugby, Ledbury enjoyed a fine 10-7 win over local rivals Malvern in the North Midlands Under 17s League thanks to two tries from Ellis Ward.

Without their county contingent, Ledbury kicked off with just 14 players but produced a committed display.

Ward arrived to make up the numbers as the back row impressed in the loose and scrum-half Dan Smith looked assured.

Malvern lost a forward to a red card for violent conduct before half-time but scored a converted try in the second period. However, Ward replied with a superb solo try from his own 10-metre line.

Although the conversion was missed, Ward again proved too rapid, this time over 40 metres, for the winning try in the corner.

Meanwhile, Newent made it three consecutive wins after promotion to Tribute Western Counties North with a 30-0 success over Cheltenham.

Third-placed Newent visit Old Bristolians tomorrow.