West of England & South Wales Hockey League Herefordshire/Gloucestershire Division One Wotton-under-Edge II 3 Hereford II 3.

A LONG list of injuries and unavailable players saw Wotton field seven U16 players against high-flying Hereford and the juniors contributed massively to the best result of the league campaign to date.

Picking up the same quick and accurate passing game from the week before, the Blues dominated the first 20 minutes.

The combination of Aaron Sycamore and Alistair Warren on the right penetrated the visitors' defence repeatedly with captain Mike Froggatt and Simon Howard providing a solid central midfield as the launch pad for their attacking play.

It was no surprise that James Pullin struck twice in this period; the first time retrieving the ball from Hereford's defence after an attack broke down and finishing sharply; and then a few minutes later sending a rocket of a reverse stick shot into the roof of the net.

The visitors showed what a battle was ahead by coming back strongly and punishing the one breakdown in marking in the first half with a well-taken goal at the far post.

The second half was only two minutes in when Hereford equalised following a free hit from just outside the D that the Blues found difficult to defend.

The visitors then piled on the pressure and Wotton's back four did well to restrict clear shooting chances.

On the few occasions that there was a strike on goal, Richard Timoney dealt with it well, including one outstanding reflex save to a head-high shot from close range.

Unlike the weather, the Hereford storm seemed to have blown itself out only for their central midfield playmaker to work a shooting chance from the top of the D and fire his side into the lead.

Wotton responded magnificently and had all the pressure for the last 15 minutes.

Just as it looked that Hereford would hang on, the home team won a penalty corner seconds before full-time.

The first shot was saved but Alan Hooper was quickest to the loose ball and when his shot ricocheted off the inside of the near post, Warren capped an excellent game by slotting home a well-deserved equaliser at the far post.

Club chairman Alan Hooper said: "I'm delighted to get a point against such a strong and experienced Hereford team but even more important is the outstanding performance of our junior players.

"Our club has a great future when their skills and maturity are already at this level."