HANDLING errors proved costly for Hereford as the Wyesiders slipped to their third defeat in four games at home to Wolverhampton on Saturday.

Hereford found it difficult to contain the away side's strong midfield trio and Wolverhampton eased to a 24-7 win in the Midlands 1 West match.

Wolverhampton took the lead with an unconverted try after just five minutes and the heavy penalty count against Hereford cost them nine further points before half time.

The Wyesiders had not created any meaningful threat until a spirited passage of play late in the half took them close to the visitors' line only for a handling error to prevent a score.

Early in the second period, Wolves exerted pressure in midfield and from the resulting penalty added to their lead.

Five minutes later, they added a second try after winning a maul on the Hereford goal line.

Hereford began to make better use of their possession and put in some good phases.

On several occasions they came close to scoring, only for their handling or indiscipline to let them down.

Finally Hereford got on the scoresheet when Luke Fisher was on hand to drive over following a speculative kick down field.

The difficult conversion was landed by 17-year-old debutant Callum Brayshaw.

The match had been punctuated by occasional bad tempered incidents, but the three yellow cards issued were for technical offences.

Player-coach Fisher admitted that his team were poor defensively.

"Being 14 points down at half time puts pressure on ourselves," he said.

"Playing with the wind in the second half I thought we had a chance, but our discipline let us down.

"When we did attack we looked good except for poor finishing.

Head coach, Bob Stewart added: “With the exception of a couple of players we had no leadership.

"We go 20 points down before we play and then lack precision.

"Wolverhampton beat us in contact situations, but with more composure we could have scored several more tries.”

Hereford have a difficult encounter this Saturday when they travel to second-placed Bournville.