HEREFORD City returned to winning ways with an emphatic bonus-point victory over Earlsdon at Wyeside.

The city side scored four tries and Morgan Goodall kicked a total of 12 points to give them a 31-3 win as they go into a league and cup double header with Worcester Wanderers.

“I’m really pleased with that result," said captain Ali McColl.

“We started really well, dipped a bit but we were the better team.

“I think we just had more ball skill, they bought the big five down with them to bully us out of the game but we’re quite a mobile pack and we got around them.”

The Wyesiders could have opened the scoring as early as the third minute when Morgan Goodall missed an attempt at the sticks from a penalty.

Goodall made up for that nine minutes later when he put a penalty over in front of the posts after the placing of the penalty was moved forward to punish Ealsdon’s dissent.

Their lead lasted just seven minutes, however, as Callum Forsyth converted his own penalty from just inside the 22.

On 25 minutes came the first of four tries for the home side as James Watters crossed under the posts after bursting through a couple of challenges.

Goodall kicked the two points. Two minutes later, he kicked for touch and, from the resultant line out, Caleb Haines went over in the corner.

On the stroke of half-time, Matt Pritchard had the presence of mind to take a quick tap penalty before forcing the ball over the line to score a try which was duly converted by Goodall.

The half ended on a sour note for the hosts however as Connor Sullivan was sin-binned for failing to retreat at a penalty.

McColl said: “It’s been a concern all season to be honest, we’re averaging a yellow card every game at the moment.

“We had a red last week and consistent penalties against us push us back down the field.

“It’s something we talk about but we’re not getting on top of at the moment and it's harming us.”

Morgan Goodall started off the second half as he had finished the first with three more points added from just outside the 22.

Earlsdon then had a man in the bin on 43 minutes when Callum Bowyer was given a yellow card for failing to retreat.

On 52 minutes, Hereford got their bonus point when Perry Pudge went over after a good run from replacement Leon Parsons.

The visitors had another player in the bin on 56 minutes when Callum Forsyth was yellow-carded as the game became scrappy.

“Our back line is up there with the top three or four teams in the league, the issue is getting them the ball," said McColl.

“We’ve had a couple of off games with the forwards but today we’ve put some of that right.”

Hereford have now won just three bonus points this season and McColl admitted it is a concern.

“We’re struggling with the bonus points recently and before the loss last week we were only a point ahead of Worcester.

“The bonus points are an issue and finishing off games is something we’re working on.”

The Wyesiders remain third in Midlands One West and face Worcester Wanderers away in the league before tackling them in the cup.

McColl said: “It is tough, but I think I’ve learned now not to worry about other teams.

“They are a good side but I don’t think they’ve got anything that worries us too much.”