LEDBURY suffered North Midlands Under-17s Cup semi-final heartache after drawing 26-26 at home to Kidderminster Carolians.

The Ross Road side were knocked out as Kidderminster qualified for the final at full-time due to being the away team.

Ellis Ward (2), Sam Prestwich and Cameron Hunter scored tries, with Dan Smith adding three conversions.

Ledbury went into the contest with more confidence than the previous two outings at Kidderminster, particularly after a close midweek training match with the senior second XV.

Home advantage ultimately proved the stumbling block in Ledbury progressing to the final.

They had the first half upper hand, going into the break 19-12 up through two fine run-ins by Ward and a darting sprint from Prestwich, with Smith converting two impressively.

In the second period, Kidderminster got themselves into gear from the off and came back with two quick scores, which were both converted, as Ledbury seemed to struggle with personnel changes.

The Kidderminster pack was stronger in the scrum but Ledbury edged the line-outs.

The penalty count was even, however the home side suffered numerous injuries, with Henry Thomas, Rory Bateson, Ben Shimwell and Stu Martin all going off.

Ward was unlucky to be sin-binned for not releasing and Kidderminster took advantage of the extra man.

Hunter redeemed an earlier missed pass with a sniping run from a quick penalty to score under the posts, allowing Smith to level the scores with the conversion, only for Kidderminster to go through.

Ledbury scrum-half Matt Evans set up plenty of attacking opportunities and Shimwell battled, while Sam Seaborn, Charlie Samwells and Tommy Mapp showed determination in the loose.