1st XV Match Reports

12/04/2008
Pershore 31– 35 Old Centralians

Pershore were edged out by their visitors from Gloucester in a highly entertaining game at Piddle Park on Saturday afternoon.

The home side certainly started better, opening the scoring after less than 5 minutes were played. From an Old Cents 22 drop out the ball was caught by Pershore prop Karl Evans. He made a break and with only the full back to beat a few metres from the try line he unselfishly passed to his fellow prop Luke Evesham who trotted over the line to score under the posts. Centre Robin Haines added the conversion. Haines was on the score sheet again a few minutes later when he extended Pershores lead with a penalty. The visitors were determined to play an expansive game and keep the ball away from the Pershore forwards. This paid off for them as they narrowed the margin with an unconverted try. Just a few minutes later Old Cents closed the gap further after converting a penalty for not retreating. The home hooker Jameson Lane was sin-binned for the offence. While a man up Old Cents got themselves in the lead. With a scrum near the Pershore line, the extra man helped them take control. The ball was passed to the centre who scored. The conversion was added. When Lane returned to field the Pershore forwards again dominated the set piece. Almost immediately the home pack took a ball against the head in the scrum. Number 8 Martin Hope broke quickly from the base of the scrum and managed to shrug off a couple of attempted tackles to score his 13th try of the season. Haines again added the conversion. The visitors had the final say of the first half with a converted try under the posts giving them a 22-17 lead.

The second half saw the introduction of Steve Holmes in the back row, replacing top try scorer Hope, and Andy Jenkinson on the wing for his brother Richard. The loss of the big tackling Hope in the back row was crucial as the visitor’s big running flanker time and again broke tackles. It was because of these missed tackles that the game started to get away from Pershore. With less than 10 minutes left Pershore were 35-17 down. However in the final 10 minutes, after Lewis Dolphin had returned to pitch after a sin binning for a similar offence to Lane, an unlikely comeback did seem possible. Andy Jenkinson scored a fine try after a break from Steve Holmes. Haines again added the difficult kick. With the final move of the game it was Evans who again turned provider. Given the ball by Ed Day prop Evans stepped inside the first line of defence and made his charge for the line. When just a few metres short he passed out of a tackle to Haines who was in support on his left shoulder. Haines then converted his try to make the final score 35-31.

Pershore will complete their Western Counties North campaign next Saturday when they entertain Gordan League at Piddle Park. The day will also see the official re-opening of the clubhouse due to the completion of the extensive refurbishment work after last year’s floods in July.

Pershore’s 2nd team beat their counterparts from Ledbury 15-7. Tries by Mike Martin & Carl Redman, plus a penalty and conversion by Lee Riley secured a well-earned win.

29/03/2008
Pershore 39 – 0 Spartans

Pershore ran out worthy winners in the battle of the basement boys in Saturdays Western Counties North clash at a wet Piddle Park. With both teams already relegated pride was the only thing on offer to the winner.

Pershore were always in control of the game and it was through centre Robin Haines that they took an early lead. Spartans were penalised for hands in the ruck, and Haines slotted the resulting penalty. There was the same result from a similar penalty a few minutes later and the home side were 6 points to the good. The piddle parkers were forced to run most of their possession as they were playing into a ferocious wind and the backs were orchestrated well by Will Woodhouse at fly half. There were plenty of scoring opportunities, the closest being a kick and chase by prop Karl Evans. However both he and scrum half Adrian Hanson were beaten to ball by the Spartans fullback. It did look like the first half did look like it would remain try less until Ed Day made a break and had the pace to beat the defence and score the opening try of the day. Haines missed the conversion and Pershore had a half time lead 11-0.

The home side could not have had a better start to the second half. Now with the wind behind them Woodhouse & Haines kicked well. It was from the territorial advantage they had given them that Pershore scored. From a lineout the ball found its way to centre Marcus Whyte. The big man shrugged of a couple of would be tacklers to score under the posts. Haines added the conversion. With Spartan heads down and defeat looming Pershore now twisted the knife. Both Martin Hope & Jameson Lane went close but it was scrum half Adrian Hanson who danced his way over the line. Haines again added the extras. Pershore now led 25-0. With the set piece functioning well, and captain Toby Grace managing to disrupt plenty of Spartans ball in the lineout Pershore spent the whole of the second period in the Spartans half. Haines capped of a fine performance with a try after another break by his centre counterpart Whyte. He again added the conversion. At 32-0 Pershore made some changes with Evans, Greg Shaw and Stefan Ellis making way for Lee Synnuck, Steve Holmes & Lewis Dolphin. It was Holmes who made the biggest impact when the flanker finished off Pershores scoring with their fifth try of the afternoon. Haines again added the conversion to make the final score 39-0 to Pershore.

Pershores 2nd team had a fine victory at home with Mike Martin claiming a hat trick. Pershore ran out 24-17 winners against Bromsgrove 3rd team.

01/03/2008
Berry Hill 24 – 20 Pershore

Although survival is a mathematical possibility, Saturday’s unfortunate defeat at the hands of title chases Berry Hill means that Pershore will almost certainly be playing their rugby in Midlands 4 next season.

On a glorious afternoon in the Forest of Dean Pershore played with the wind in the first half, however they were soon on the back foot and after conceding a couple of early penalties found themselves trailing 6-0. It was not long before the Pershore pack had the measure of their opposing forwards and began to dominate, something no other team has done against Berry Hill all season. Excellent kicking from fly half Will Woodhouse gave Pershore the territorial advantage they needed to mount an attack. From a lineout flanker Chris Copson squeezed over the line for his first try for the club. Woodhouse was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt. The visitors then fell further behind. Berry Hill exploited a gap in the defence and their second row scored under the posts. The conversion was added to give them a 13-6 lead. Before half time Pershore closed the gap. Centre James Martin going over the whitewash this time. Again the conversion was missed. The score at the interval 13-10

The start of the second half was a mirror image of the first. Ill discipline around the rucks was costly for the visitors and Berry Hill took advantage of the penalties. 19-10. Pershore then started to exert the dominance they had shown in spells of the first half. Strong running by the forwards, Kris Bassett in particular, made dents in the home defence, and after some strong running on the fringes by the forwards the ball was spun wide, and centre Matt Harwood did enough with the defence to allow winger Marcus Whyte to score in the corner. The kick was again missed. Pershore were soon in the lead. Kris Bassett bashed his way through the defence near the halfway line. He fed the ball to centre Martin who rounded the last man to score his second of the day. 20-19 to the visitors. With less than 10 minutes left it looked like Pershore could have a significant input into the title race, however a late try by Berry Hill sealed an unlikely win for the home side and doomed Pershore to almost certain relegation.

Pershore will be playing for pride next week when they face Thornbury at Piddle Park in another Western Counties North encounter. Kick off 2.30pm.

23/02/2008
Pershore 0-15 Stroud

Pershore are left needing a minor miracle if they are to avoid relegation after Saturdays defeat by Stroud at Piddle Park.

The Pershore pack, so dominant this season, game up against a big, and experienced set of forwards resulting in the home side only getting parity at the set piece. This did not prevent the home side from dominating the first half. However they could not make things count and were in fact trailing at half time by 5-0. Pershore had opportunities to close the gap in the late in the half but two penalty attempts by fly half Will Woodhouse were unsuccessful.

Much of the second half was played in the middle of the park. The difference between the sides was that on the few occasions Stroud visited the Pershore 22’ they came away with points. Martin Hope, as always carried the ball well and full back Stefan Ellis always looked dangerous. This was not enough for Pershore and they finally went down 15-0.

Pershore face a trip to the Forest of Dean next weekend to face title chasers Berry Hill in what is a must win game for both teams.

16/02/2008
Pershore 10 - 17 Chosen Hill Former Pupils

Pershore will rue missed opportunities and the referee’s inadequacies after Saturday’s fixture against Chosen Hill. The first game at Piddle Park in 2008 due to yet more flooding was a highly entertaining game in which the visitors scored the winning converted try with less than 5 minutes to play.

The home side started well and the Pershore forwards soon started to exert some dominance on their opposing pack. The Chosen Hill scrum was under all sorts of pressure and it was from a scrum that Pershore opened their account with a pushover try. Number 8 Martin Hope claiming his 12th try of the season. Centre Scott Morris converted. The visitors were soon level. After attacking in the corner the spread the ball and caught the Pershore defence napping on the other side of the pitch and crossed the whitewash. The conversion was added to make the score 7-7. The rest of the first half belonged to Pershore. They were camped on the Chosen Hill line for what seemed an eternity but just could not cross the line. The referee was partly to blame as he struggled to officiate the scrum. On several occasions the Pershore forwards again pushed the Chosen Hill Scrum back over their own try line but he allowed the visiting pack to fragment and join the scrum behind the Pershore front row. On at least 2 occasions he should have awarded a penalty try but he was never going to be brave enough to make such a big decision.

The second half saw the visitors with a little more of the ball but the Wing Forward partnership of Ed Day & Chris Copson made sure any attacks were stopped early. New signing at Fly Half Will Woodhouse orchestrated the Pershore backs well, and with some excellent kicking from hand ensured that the home side enjoyed good field position. There were a few times when the game seemed as if it was going to boil over but the brandishing of a couple of yellow cards for each of the teams seemed to calm the tempers down. Mid way through the half the fly halves exchanged penalties to make the score 10-10 going into the final quarter. The remainder of the game was tense and it was the visitors who got the winning score after attacking from the back of a scrum near the Pershore line.

Pershore will hopefully be able to make amends and ease their relegation concerns if they can find victory when Stroud visit Piddle Park on Saturday 23rd February 2008.

09/02/2008
Avonmouth Old Boys 22-14 Pershore

Pershore where closely beaten on Saturday when they made the trip to Bristol to play league leaders Avonmouth Old Boys. The home side ended the game knowing how lucky they were to come away with a victory against lowly Pershore.

The start did not go well for the visitors. Within the first 10 minutes they were 10-0 down through 2 unconverted tries. It took that long for the Pershore forwards to get into the game. The lineout worked very well for Pershore. Ed Day was a giant towards the back of the lineout. Although they only marginally got the upper hand in the scrum. After some persistent pressure Pershore opened their account. A tap penalty saw captain Toby Grace feed prop Karl Evans. From the ensuing ruck Adrian Hanson quickly popped the ball to number 8 Martin Hope to barge through 2 tackles and score under the posts. Centre Scott Morris added the conversion. 10-7 was how the first half finished.

The second half saw the Piddle Park outfit dominate the early exchanges. They could have taken the lead after a replica move of their first half try. This time Hope was tackled short of the line. After 10 minutes Pershore were down to 14 players. An off the ball altercation saw centre James Martin earn himself 10 minutes in the sin bin. In that time Pershore conceded 12 points, including a penalty try. Earlier in the season, when over 15 points down, you could have called the end of the game and Pershore would have been on the end of a thumping. However they showed true grit to get back into the game. Matt Harwood made some good breaks from full back and winger Marcus Whyte was always a handful. It was the endeavour of lock Alex Peel that was the epitome of the visitor’s efforts. He worked tirelessly and was almost rewarded with a try but it was Luke Eversham who had his hands on the ball when the Pershore pack touched down after a driving maul. Morris again added the conversion. Pershore had more chances to score in the final 15 minutes and both Stefan Ellis and Adrian Hanson were held up over the line. The final whistle blew with Pershore losing 22-14.

Pershores 2nd & 3rd teams both won away at Droitwich. Pershore are again in Western Counties North action next week when they entertain Chosen Hill Former Pupils for their first home game of 2008.

26/01/2008
Old Redcliffians 30-17 Pershore

Pershore were defeated in Saturdays trip to North Somerset to face Old Redcliffians although the Piddle Parkers can certainly be proud of the spirit that was shown throughout the game. A mixture of ill-discipline and unforced errors was the difference between the 2 teams.

Pershore started going down the slopes with the wind behind them, hoping that these advantages would give them a half time lead. Things were working to the visitors favour early on as they enjoyed plenty of territory in the Old Reds half. As the ball was moving swiftly across the back line it looked like the visitors were about to open the scoring, however an interception by the home winger saw him take the ball the length of the field to score under the posts. The conversion was easy and the score 7-0. Pershore got some reward for their territorial advantage soon after. Full back James Martin chipped the ball over the home defence, collected his own kick and scored in the corner. Scott Morris was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt. The Pershore set piece again functioned well and the front five dominated, but when Old Reds started to spread the ball around they looked at their most dangerous. The home side scored a few late tries in the first half and went into half time with a 17-5 lead. Somewhat surprising considering Pershore dominated territorially for the first 30 minutes.

At the start of the second half Old Reds were certainly in the ascendancy. With the wind behind them and going down hill they tried to press home the advantage. Twice Pershore hooker Jameson Lane was penalised for backchat to the referee and twice the Old Reds fly half slotted the penalty, 23-5. The Pershore pack rallied and after some fine territorial kicking by Morris and his centre counterpart Ben Pullin Pershore could smell the line. The visiting forwards forced the opposition into crossing the offside line at a ruck and were awarded a penalty. Captain Toby Grace popped the ball to Prop Karl Evans who was tackled a few metres short. Scrum Half Adrian Hanson then popped the ball to Number 8 Martin Hope to barge his way over for his 10th try of the season. Morris was successful with the conversion. To have any chance of winning Pershore had to be the next to score, this however was not the case almost immediately the Old Reds forwards attacked the unprotected blind side and hooker Danny McGrath, a former Bristol & Scotland under 21’s player, put the game beyond doubt. There was more to come from the Pershore pack with Alex Peel getting on the score sheet for the 4th week on the trot, scoring in the corner after a well worked driving maul. The game did end on a slightly sour note when try scorer Peel was sin binned for a high tackle. The game finished 30-17 in Old Redcliffians favour.

12/01/2008
Veseyans 25-77 Pershore

Pershore were emphatic victors in Saturdays North Midlands Shield second round clash at Veseyans. Veseyans took an early lead through a penalty but it did not take the visitors long to get on the score sheet through winger Richard Jenkinson. Further first half scores by Kris Bassett, Alex Peel, Robin Haines and Stefan Ellis, plus the kicking accuracy of centre Scott Morris ensured Pershore went into half time leading 41-6. The second half started poorly for Pershore. Karl Evans was sin-binned for slowing the ball down and the ten minutes in which Pershore were down to 14 men helped the home side score 19 unanswered points. Once Pershore had a full complement of players the again became ruthless. Grace & Shaw dominated the lineout and the entire pack made sure their opposing forwards suffered a torrid afternoon. Martin Hope enjoyed a second half hat trick and further scores from Stefan Ellis, Scott Morris and James Martin gave Pershore a well-earned victory. Pershore a back to league action next Saturday when they entertain Stroud at Piddle Park.

05/01/2008
Widden Old Boys 15-17 Pershore

The fine form that Pershore finished 2007 in was carried in to the New Year when they travelled to Gloucester to meet Widden Old Boys on Saturday.

The home side went into the lead early on. Pershore defended a lineout 5 metres from their line very well but when the ball was spread into midfield the Widden centre had enough momentum to score under the posts. The conversion was added to give the home side a 7-0 lead. Once Pershore had cleared some festive cobwebs their forwards started to dominate the set piece. Toby Grace and Aaron Dolphin were superior in the lineout and the front row of Eversham, Lane & Evans were dominant all afternoon. After 20 minutes Pershore were awarded a penalty. Centre Scott Morris opted to kick for goal and the deficit was decreased. Soon after Pershore were in the lead. Deep in their own half the piddle parkers decided to attack with the ball in hand instead of taking an easy kick to touch to relieve some pressure. A solid break by number 8 Kris Bassett was followed by a clever switch in play by James Martin. He chipped the ball over the home defence and veteran full back Matt Harwood won the foot race to score. Morris added the conversion. With 10 minutes of the half remaining Pershore extended their lead. Bassett again made a break, this time down the blind side. Flanker Aaron Dolphin took the ball on and just as he was about to be bundled into touch he passed the ball inside to Alex Peel who scored the easiest of tries. Morris again converted and the visitors went into half time 17-7 in the lead.

Much of the second half was played in the middle of the park. Both teams had chances to score and Martin Hope and Karl Evans both went close in either corner. The game really sprang back to life with 5 minutes remaining. By this time Widden had closed the gap after converting a penalty mid way through the half. They were rewarded late on with a try. They went close to the line but some heroic defending by the half back pairing of Adrian Hanson and Robin Haines repelled the attack but Widden crossed in the corner from the next phase of play. Fortunately for Pershore the kick was missed and the visitors were leading 17-15. There was further drama to come. With less than a minute left at the restart Widden forced an attack. Their full back exploited a gap in the defensive line and was sprinting towards the posts. A great cover tackle by Jenkinson thwarted the attack but the ball was slipped towards the Widden winger. He kicked the ball towards the line but a magnificent football style sliding tackled by Stefan Ellis saw the ball go into touch and the final whistle was blew.

Pershore are again in action next week when they visit Veseyans in the 2nd round of the North Mids Shield.

  22/12/2007
Evesham 7-10 Pershore

Saturday’s fixture at Evesham Rugby Club really was a dour affair. The game was full of errors and at times ill tempered. But that jst added to the drama of this closely fought local derby.

Pershore, the higher graded of the two clubs, started the stronger. They exposed a real weakness in the Evesham scrum, an area that the piddle park outfit dominated all afternoon. The lineout was a more even with both sides winning more of there own ball. Pershore winger Stefan Ellis went close a few times in the first half but it was Centre James Martin who had an opportunity to open the scoring after 30 minutes through a penalty. His kick fell short. Less than 5 minutes later Martin found himself in the sin bin after an altercation at a ruck. From the ensuing penalty Evesham attacked the Pershore line but after some heroic defending by Captain Alex Peel and flanker Mark Badgery the visitors were able to clear their lines and go into half time all level at 0-0.

Pershore started to show why they are in a higher league in the second half and played all of the rugby in the Evesham territory. Stefan Ellis opened the scoring on the hour mark after cutting a great angle inside his opposite winger. Martin missed with the conversion. Within a few minutes Evesham were in front. From a lineout the ball found its way to their centre who ran straight through a gap in the Pershore defence to score under the posts. The conversion was added to make the score 7-5. The visiting forwards then upped a couple of gears and started to take a stranglehold of the game. Strong running by Marcus Whyte & Luke Eversham meant that Pershore stayed on the front foot. After a knock on by the visitors near the Evesham line the home side were awarded a scrum. The front row of Eversham, Jameson Lane and Karl Evans managed to win the ball against the head. It found its way to Winger Andy Jenkinson to score in the corner. Robin Haines was unsuccessful with the kick. There was still more drama to come when Marcus Whyte was sin binned with a few minutes left after yet another flare up. But Pershore held out for a dramatic victory.

Pershore 2nds were a lot more comfortable at Evesham with a convincing 41-5 victory.

15/12/2007
Pershore 25 – 14 Bristol Harlequins

Pershore laid some demons to rest with Saturdays win against Bristol Harlequins at Piddle Park. In the reverse of this fixture in November it is fair to say that Pershore threw the game away, but they made no mistake this time around.

 The set piece is an area where Pershore have become dominant recently and there was no exception to the trend this week. The front row of Eversham, Lane & Peel functioned well and the athleticism of Toby Grace and Levin Widmer in the lineout ensured the Pershore pack would have a comfortable ride all afternoon. The Piddle Parkers opened the scoring with a penalty from James Martin. Soon after Ben Humphries, on as a blood replacement for Widmer made a break. He was supported by scrum half Adrian Hanson & Lock Martin Hope. They fed flyer Stefan Ellis to complete the score in the corner. Quins replied immediately with a converted try to make the score 8-7. Pershore would extend their lead before half time. Centre James Martin made a break in midfield. He was tackled by the covering defence 10 metres short of the line. Hanson was again in support. The scrum half took the ball on and when it looked like he would certainly score he unselfishly passed to his captain Toby Grace who dived over the whitewash. Martin added the conversion to make the half time score 15-7.

The second half was much the same as the first. Pershore again dominated and were soon rewarded. Winger Marcus Whyte completed a move that came straight from the training ground to score a try, which was converted by Martin. The second half also saw the welcome return of Ben Pullen who has been out for 8 weeks with injury. Martin had the opportunity to put the game out of reach with a late penalty but it was Quins who had the final say with a converted try on the final whistle.  

Pershore are in action again next Saturday when they make the short trip to Evesham for a pre-Christmas ‘not so friendly’.

    08/12/2007
Oswestry 8 – 27 Pershore  

Pershore progressed to the second round of the North Midlands Shield after a comprehensive victory in terrible conditions on the Shropshire/Welsh border.  

The visitors pack were again dominant, particularly at the set piece. It was however the backs that surprisingly offered up the majority of the points, considering the quagmire they were playing on. Pershore were in the lead after 5 minutes. Winger Stefan Ellis got the ball deep in his own half and ran no less than 70 metres to score his first of the day. Scott Morris missed the conversion. Pershore were to extend their lead after 15 minutes. This time opposite winger Marcus Whyte got himself on the score sheet after being set up by scrum half Damien Hanson. Morris added the extras with a superb effort from the touchline. The home side got onto the score sheet themselves through a penalty to make the score 12-3. Stefan Ellis then claimed his second try of the day to make the half time score 17-3 to Pershore.  

Pershore played the first 20 minutes of the second half with 14 men. Firstly prop Karl Evans was sin binned for a trip off the ball just after half time. As soon as he returned to the game Flanker Mark Badgery was also shown a yellow card for stamping. The numerical disadvantage did not prevent Pershore from maintaining their strangle hold on the game. The 7 man pack continued to dominate and they got just rewards when Martin Hope went over in the corner after a driving maul. A tactic Pershore used well all afternoon. Oswestry did get a try of their own when their winger was deemed to have been the first to dive on the ball over the try line after a speculative kick and chase. At 22-8 Pershore had plenty of opportunities to extend their lead. Evans was stopped just short of the line and lock Alex Peel spilled the ball over the line then was held up over the line less than a minute later. In the final minute of the game, after prolonged pressure from the visiting pack the ball found its way to centre Scott Morris. He danced his way through the defence to score under the posts. Fly half Lewis Dolphin hit the post with the kick so the score remained 27-8 to Pershore.  

Pershore are next in action on Saturday 15^th December when they return to league action at Piddle Park. Bristol Harlequins are the visitors.

 01/12/2007
Old Centralians 37 – 27 Pershore

The cliché ‘a game of two halves’ is often used when describing a football match. It certainly sums up the game of rugby played in Gloucester on Saturday afternoon when Pershore gave up a 22-point half time lead to hosts Old Centralians. The visitor’s forwards were dominant all afternoon, particularly the front five, who controlled the scrum and lineout. With less than 5 minutes played Pershore built an attack after a solid scrum and winger Stefan Ellis scored in the corner. 10 minutes later Pershore extended their lead. Another strong scrum on the opposing put in saw the ball shoot out. Quickest to react was scrum half Adrian Hansen to dive on the loose ball and score the try. The conversion was again missed. The first half was all Pershore. Lock Alex Peel got himself on the score sheet with a try from a driving maul. At 15-0 the referee was forced to show a red card to the OC’s fly half for stamping on flanker Levin Widmer. Pershore pressed home the numerical advantage and prop Luke Eversham extended the lead with a try. Robin Haines added the conversion to make the half time score 22-0.  

The second half could not have started any worse for Pershore. 2 phases of play and 2 tries were conceded. 22-12. Pershore had very little possession in the second half, and only once visited the home 22’. When they did they came away with points when prop Karl Evans went over for a try from short range. At 27-12 the nerves should have been settled for the Piddle Park outfit, but their dominant forwards were starved of possession and OC’s managed to exploit defensive frailties in the Pershore back line and edged themselves into a 31-27 lead with 15 minutes left. Try as they might the visitors could not maintain any continuity in possession and ill discipline gifted Old Centralians a few late penalties in front of the posts to complete a 37-27 defeat for Pershore.

24/11/2007
Gordon League 37 – 12 Pershore

Pershore’s woes continued as they were well beaten by a mediocre Gordon League side in Gloucester on Saturday. The visitor’s indiscipline around the ruck meant that the Gordon League fly half had some early opportunities to kick for goal. Within 15 minutes he had scored 3 penalties to make the score 9-0. Pershore struggled to get any fluidity into there game and played much of the first half deep in there own territory. Although the scrum functioned very well, a lack of penetration in the lineout did not help matters. The only plus points for the visitors in the first half were the strong running and tackling of flanker Martin Hope. At half time Pershore found themselves trailing 17-0 due to another penalty and try.

Strong words at the interval by coach Chris Johnston stirred something in the Pershore pack and they finally started to exert some pressure on to the home side. A few minutes in Pershore were in control of the ball after a strong run in midfield by number 8 Kris Bassett. The ball came to fly half Lewis Dolphin. He delayed his pass wonderfully and Stefan Ellis had enough gas on the wing to score from 40 metres out. Robin Haines was unfortunate with the conversion attempt. Gordon League then stifled any opportunities Pershore had and were soon back on the score sheet through another penalty. A few tries later, and with 15 minutes left the game was over. Pershore had the final say of the match when scrum half Adrian Hanson caught the home defence napping and took a tap penalty, ran himself from 10 yards out and scored underneath the posts. Haines added the conversion to make the score 37-12.

Pershore are in action again next week when they visit Old Centralians in Gloucester for another Western Counties North fixture.

Pershore second team were more successful on their travels with a resounding win over Stourbridge 4ths. Andy Bridges & Damian May were among the scorers in a 46-10 victory.

10/11/2007
Bristol Harlequins 18 – 15 Pershore

After a great win last week Pershore came back down to earth with a bump after tasting defeat on their long trip to Bristol Harlequins in Saturday’s Western Counties North encounter.

The Piddle Park outfit certainly started stronger than the hosts and were ahead within 5 minutes. The forwards offered Pershore scrum half AJ Hansen a solid platform to build an attack. He slipped the ball to lock Marcus Whyte to score a well-taken try under the posts. Centre Scott Morris added the conversion to give Pershore a 7-0 lead. Quins closed the gap a few minutes later after their forwards scored a try from a driving maul. Midway through the first half the referee brandished a red card to the Quins hooker after an off the ball incident meaning the home side would play the last hour with 14 men. Pershore pressed the numerical advantage and after some crisp handling by the backs, winger Stefan Ellis went over to score. Morris was unsuccessful with the conversion. Pershore were robbed of a chance to extend their lead. The Quins prop knocked the ball on in midfield. Hansen was quick to pounce and fed winger Ellis. With only open space in front of him a score was almost certain but the referee prematurely blew the whistle for the knock on, preventing the visitors from taking any sort of advantage. The home side did manage to go into the interval ahead after scoring an unlikely penalty and try late in the first half.

No sooner had the second half kicked off, the referee was again brandishing his cards. This time yellow cards to Whyte and the Quins flanker after a bit of shirt pulling. Morris slotted the resulting penalty to enable Pershore to regain the lead, 15-13. With 30 minutes left there was an unfortunate incident when the Quins winger was injured with a suspected neck injury. The hold up, and subsequent switching of pitches to allow the paramedics to treat the injured player, did Pershore no favours. On the much smaller pitch the pacy wingers had much less room to expose weak links in the armour of the Quins defence. The home teams fly half began to impose himself on the game and marshal his troops. Every time it looked like Pershore were going to get out of their own half, the trusted boot of the fly half would peg them back down. It was only a matter of time before the Pershore defence was breached, again after a driving maul from a lineout. The kick was missed to give Quins a lead of 18-15. Pershore did have a chance to pull level with the last kick off the game, but the trusty boot of Scott Morris finally let him down as he saw his attempt from the half way line sail wide.

03/11/2007
Pershore 30 – 24 Widden Old Boys

Pershore could not have had a worse start on Saturday afternoon at Piddle Park, finding themselves a try down within the first minute. Within 5 minutes the home side managed to decrease the deficit when centre Scott Morris slotted a conversion. Widden Old Boys restored their 5 point lead with a penalty of their own before winger Andy Jenkinson scored a an excellent try under the posts. He got possession of the ball 40 yards out and managed to out sprint his opposite winger and then cut a great angle inside the full back to score. Morris added the conversion to make the score 10-8. Another infringement by the home side gifted Widden the opportunity to regain the lead, which they duly took. The remainder of the half saw the visitors have plenty of possession but the ferocious tackling of back rowers Martin Hope and Kris Bassett ensured they could do little with it. However an infringement at a ruck gave Pershore a penalty near the half way line. Morris kicked the ball to the corner. From the lineout the familiar sequence of Lane throwing to Whyte, then the driving maul towards the line from the forwards was seen again. This time the maul was stopped short of the line, but lock Marcus Whyte was on hand to take the ball on and score in the corner. Morris was unfortunate with the kick. Widden scored a converted try late in the first half to make the score 18-15 to the visitors.

The visitors had Pershore penned back in there own half for the early part of the second half and looked like they would be extending their lead when the spread the ball wide. Whyte managed to intercept a try-scoring pass and make a break himself. When his legs were failing him near the half way line he passed to flyer Stefan Ellis, who managed to make a further 40 metres. He then passed to Jenkinson who put veteran Matt Harwood in at the corner to score. Harwood was on the score sheet with another try a few minutes later, this time converted by Morris to give Pershore a 27-18 lead. The visitors kept chipping away with penalties and brought the score to 27-24 with 10 minutes left. Morris added another penalty a few minutes from time to extend Pershore’s lead but the game did end on a sour note for Pershore as prop Karl Evans was red carded in the 79th minute, after being on the pitch for less than 5 minutes.

Pershore coach Chris Johnson said, “The aggression and passion we showed today won us that game. Everyone knows that things have not gone our way so far this season but that result today was something which has been on the cards for a few weeks, and we now have some great foundations to build on going into next weeks game at Bristol Harlequins”

Pershore 2nds also came out on top on Saturday with a 20-13 victory at Shipston on Stour.

27/10/2007
Stroud 20 – 8 Pershore

Pershore put in a much better performance on Saturday but it was not enough to beat a well-organised Stroud side. Another positive was seeing back rower Kris Bassett show no side effects after completing his first full game since dislocating his shoulder in the summer.

On a blistery afternoon it was the home side that opened the scoring. They managed to stretch Pershore’s defence and with a number of backs caught out of position, the number 8 scored in the corner. Pershore managed to soak up a lot of pressure in the middle 20 minutes of the first half, and certainly finished the half the stronger of the two sides. A great break by prop Luke Eversham deserved a try, but a penalty was awarded for a Stroud infringement when Eversham was tackled short of the line. The 3 points were added by Centre Scott Morris to make the half time score 5-3 to the home side.

The second half was a replica of the first with Stroud winning the early exchanges, but resolute defence by Toby Grace & Martin Hope along with clever play by makeshift fly half Lewis Dolphin ensured that the visitors line was not crossed. However, things took a turn for the worst for Pershore when the influential Kris Bassett was sin binned for having hands in the ruck with quarter on an hour left on the clock. In the 10 minutes he was off the field Stroud pressed home the numerical advantage and scored 2 tries, one of which was converted to give them a 17-3 lead with 5 minutes left. When back to even numbers Pershore made a late surge and winger Stefan Ellis was stopped short of the line after a high tackle. The resulting penalty was kicked to the corner. From the ensuing lineout hooker Jameson Lane threw to Marcus Whyte. The Pershore pack were on hand to easily drive the maul over the line for, you guessed it, Kris Bassett to score his first try of the season. Scott Morris missed the kick from wide out. Stroud did have the final say with a late penalty to make the score 20-8 to the home side.

Pershore are back in league action next Saturday when they entertain Widden Old Boys in another Western Counties North encounter, kick off at 2.15pm at Piddle Park.

20/10/2007
Pershore 0 – 52 Old Redcliffians

On a glorious rugby playing afternoon at Piddle Park the spectators were witness to some fantastic running rugby, unfortunately, all of which was by visitors Old Redcliffians. Pershore’s failure to make first time tackles proved costly, certainly in the second half.

The first twenty minutes were even, and it was a loose pass by Lewis Dolphin that was intercepted by the opposition centre that gifted Old Redcliffians the opening score. Some good breaks by Pershore flyer Stefan Ellis gave the home support something to shout about, but resolute defence by the visitors ensured that Pershore never got near the danger zone. 5 minutes before half time Pershore were very much in the game, but a few scores in quick succession gave Old Redcliffians a 24-0 half time lead.

Pershore needed to start the second half strongly but within 2 minutes they were further behind. The home sides pack competed all afternoon, and the set piece worked particularly well, with Marcus Whyte and Toby Grace securing good lineout ball. However it was the visitors superiority in the backs which was the telling difference, and they scored another 3 tries before the final whistle. Pershore are next in action next Saturday when the make the trip to early pace setters Stroud.

Pershore 2nd team had a fine victory at Piddle Park, beating Luctonians 3rds 15-7.

13/10/2007
Old Newtonians 21– 20 Pershore

On Saturday Pershore travelled to Leicester to take on Old Newtonians in the second round of the EDF senior vase. A match which was clouded in controversy.

Pershore were certainly out of the block quicker and dominated the early exchanges. The visitors were awarded a scrum on 10 minutes, less than 10 metres from the try line. Number 8 Martin Hope picked the ball up at the base of the scrum and drove over the line to score. Robin Haines added the conversion to make the score 7-0. Straight from the kick-off a Pershore infringement gave Old Newtonians the chance to close the gap and make the score 7-3. On the 20-minute mark another break from the base of the scrum proved fruitful for the visitors. Hope fed winger Steve Holmes, he popped the ball to flanker Levin Widmer who in turn passed to hooker Jameson Lane for him to score. The kick was missed making the score 12-3. A late tackle by lock Marcus Whyte, which earned him a yellow card, gave the home side an opportunity to close the gap and make the half time score 12-6.

The most important person of the second half was the referee. Many of his decisions left the spectators and players scratching their heads. The first of these decisions was against Pershore prop Alex Peel. He was making his first appearance of the season after a long injury lay-off and came on as a replacement at half time. Within 2 minutes he was heading back to the changing room after being red carded for an alleged trip. Down to 14 players Pershore struggled to keep possession and Old Newtonians pressed home the numerical advantage. They soon scored a converted try to make the score 13-12 and give them the lead for the first time in the match. Pershore were industrious in their attempts to get out of their own half but every time the referee seemed to conjure up yet another infringement to penalise the visitors for. The home side stretched their lead with another try and a penalty to make the score 21-12. With 10 minutes left Pershore closed the gap with a penalty by Haines, then centre Rhys Thomas crashed over to score a try making the score 21-20. Haines was unsuccessful with the kick. With the clock ticking there was enough time for a final twist. Pershore were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. The cries from the side lines was for Pershore to kick as the 3 points would have given them victory. However, the referee advised Pershore captain Toby Grace that the score was in fact 21-17. Grace then opted to run, an attack which was repelled by the resolute defence of the home side. On the final whistle the referee, when approached by Pershore coach Charlie Hemmings confirmed that the score was in fact 21-20 and he had made a mistake. A mistake which cost Pershore the match and a place in the third round.

Pershore are in action again next week when they entertain Old Redcliffians in a Western Counties North encounter.

06/10/2007
Pershore 20 – 41 Avonmouth Old Boys

Pershore saw a much-improved performance on Saturday, although the score line suggests otherwise. It was certainly a mixture of individual error and bad luck, which cost Pershore victory in this Western Counties North fixture.
Avonmouth took the lead early. Fly half Lee Riley was caught offside and his Avonmouth counterpart slotted the resulting kick through the uprights to make the score 3-0. Unfortunately the home side found themselves trailing even further just a few minutes later. A stray pass near the half way line was picked up by an Avonmouth centre. When just five metres from then line Pershore winger Stefan Ellis made a try saving tackle. Once his forwards arrived, one of them was penalised for entering the ruck from the side. Avonmouth were quick to take the penalty and spread the ball wide for the winger to score in the corner. The conversion was missed, 8-0. On 20 minutes Pershore had an opportunity to close the gap when they were awarded a penalty for hands in a ruck. Riley saw his kick sail just wide of the mark. However, Pershore now had the momentum and managed to stage a solid attack from a lineout deep in the visitor’s territory. The lineout was won by returning Flanker Levin Widmer. The ball was sent wide quickly, creating enough space for winger Andy Jenkinson to score. Riley was again unsuccessful with the difficult kick so the score stayed at 8-5. On the half hour mark Riley managed to fond his range. A late tackle by the Avonmouth winger saw the home side awarded a penalty, duly slotted by Riley, and the visitors reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the half. For the remainder of the half Pershore kept the pressure on and were awarded a penalty 10 metres from the line. Captain Toby Grace made a brave decision and decided to take the scrum, instead of an easy 3 points. His courage played dividends as Martin Hope took the ball from the base of the scrum and made good yards. Hooker Jameson Lane took the second phase and Lock Marcus Whyte was on hand to score a well-deserved try in the corner. Pershore had a half time lead of 13-8.
It was not long into the second half until Pershore found themselves behind after a few penalties. Avonmouth stretched their lead on 45 minutes. A speculative up ‘n’ under was not taken cleanly by the Pershore full back, and an atrocious bounce for the home side saw the Avonmouth full back collect the ball and score under the posts. 21-13. Further indiscipline by Pershore saw Avonmouth slot another penalty. The visitors scored again with the exact same tactic as the previous try and exactly the same outcome, stretching their lead to 29-13. Immediately from the kick off Pershore got themselves back into the game. Quick reaction by veteran scrum half Sid Hirons saw him make a break. He passed to Widmer who in turn passed to the returning Kris Bassett, back from an injury lay off, and he managed to interest enough defenders to put Hope in to score under the posts. Adrian Hanson added the conversion to bring the score back to 29-20. The rest of the game belonged to Avonmouth. A poor pass from the back of the scrum allowed the Avonmouth defence enough time to charge down Adrian Hansons kick and score. A few minutes later the Avonmouth forwards drove a tired Pershore pack over from a lineout to make the final score Pershore 20 Avonmouth 41.

Pershore are in cup action next week when they make the trip to Leicester to take on Old Newtonians in the second round of the EDF Senior Vase.

29/09/2007
Chosen Hill Former Pupils 70 – 14 Pershore

For the second time in as many weeks Pershore were soundly beaten by Gloucestershire opposition. Although the piddle park outfit are going through a mini injury crisis, they would still be bitterly disappointed with how they played on Saturday.

From the kick off Chosen Hill were rampant and scored early. The visiting support thought that Pershore could not have a worst start. That was until fly half Ian Hurley, back from a wrist injury, was taken to hospital with a nasty fracture in his lower arm. An injury that will surely see him out for the rest of 2007. The disruption in the back line did little to help Pershores defence and they found themselves further behind with another Chosen Hill try. A try for the visitors did materialise after 20 minutes. A kick was charged down by scrum half Adrian Hanson and his half back counterpart Lee Riley was on hand to pounce and score the easiest of tries. Riley converted his own kick to make the score 14-7. The rest of the half belonged to the home side and they went in to half time leading 28-7.

The second half was much the same. Missed tackles and poor tactical kicking from Pershore allowed Chosen Hill to dominate. Number 8 Martin Hope did make some big tackles in defence and prop Luke Eversham worked tirelessly in both tight and open play, but there efforts were overshadowed by the lacklustre display of the visitors. Chosen Hill spent the second half scoring at will but it was Pershore who had the final say. Winger Stefan Ellis showed his electric pace when picking up a stray kick in his own 22. He out sprinted the opposition defence and when deep in Chosen Hill territory he put his fellow winger Matt Harwood in under the posts to score. The try was again converted by Riley to make the final score Chosen Hill 70 Pershore 14.

Pershore are at home next Saturday when they face Avonmouth Old Boys in another Western Counties North clash.

22/09/2007
Pershore 20 - 51 Berry Hill

With a lot of late preparation Pershore managed to get the temporary facilities installed in time to play their first home game of the season. Unfortunately the performance on the field did not even come close to the current off-field efforts. Although the clubhouse is currently drying out, it is fair to say that the pitch is never usually in such good condition. Couple this with perfect weather, it was expected to be an open fast paced game. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

The home side kicked off through fly-half Lee Riley. But it was the forest of dean visitors that made there mark on the game in the early stages. A sequence of hard running and off loading in the tackle enabled the centre to go over the whitewash within the first few minutes. The try was converted to make the score 7-0 to Berry Hill. Pershore responded almost immediately. A lineout deep in Berry Hill territory was caught by captain Toby Grace. From the drive the ball found its way to number 8 Martin Hope for him to score from the driving maul. Riley added the conversion to draw level. A penalty for hands in the ruck saw Riley slot over another kick to edge the home side into the lead. After 20 minutes Pershore again found themselves trailing. A catch and drive from a lineout by the big Berry Hill forwards was rewarded with a try to make the score 12-10. At this stage Pershore lost prop Karl Evans to a knee injury and the scrum was to be a struggle from then on. Another converted Berry Hill try and penalty, along with another penalty for Riley made the half time score 22-13.

The home side started the second half with great intent and a belief that they could get themselves back into the game. Marcus Whyte was making big dents in the visitor’s defense and the introduction of Ian Hurley at fly half gave the backs another dimension. However, it was not long until the visitors turned the tide and scored from another pushover try from a lineout. A score which really knocked the wind out of the sails of the Pershore pack. With there heads down Pershore conceded a try straight from the kick off, missed tackles to blame. Berry Hill had a simple game plan in the second half. With the wind behind them, kick to the corners and let the forwards work the lineout. They scored another 3 tries from lineouts and although Pershore’s forwards did not give up, they just could not come up with an answer to the Berry Hill pack’s dominant display. What Pershore did lack was the ability to change their game plan, and they persistently played into the visitors hands by running at the forwards. The game was much more even in open play with the Pershore backs looking dangerous with the ball in hand, none more so than Stefan Ellis who scored a great individual try. After picking up a loose ball he dodged through the defense, cut inside the full back to score under the posts. The conversion was added but it was obviously too little too late as Pershore were well beaten 51-20. A positive point for the home side was Ed Day and later, Mark Badgery, and their tireless work in defense, making more than their fair share of tackles.

Pershore are again in action in Western Counties North next Saturday when they make the trip to Gloucester to take on Chosen Hill Former Pupils.

08/09/2007
Spartans 20– 23 Pershore

Pershore made a winning start to the new season when they faced Spartans of Gloucester in Western Counties North. It was a trip into the unknown for the Piddle Park outfit as it was their first league game since being level transferred to the South West leagues over the summer.

The visitors, already suffering a selection crisis with a number of players injured, started the game reasonably well. However mistakes proved costly and allowed Spartans to gain good filed position. After some sustained pressure the home side were awarded a penalty after the Pershore defense breached the offside line. The penalty was converted to give Spartans a 3-0 lead. Pershore leveled the scoring a couple of minutes later when they were awarded a penalty of their own, converted by James Martin. It was not long before the in form fly half was on the score sheet again. A lineout deep in the Spartans territory was won by Pershore captain Toby Grace, the pass from scrum half Adrian Hanson allowed Martin enough time to change his angle and power through the would be tacklers to score under the posts. He converted his own try to give the visitors a 10-3 lead. Just before half time Pershore extended the lead, again through a James Martin penalty.

A rousing team talk by coach Chris Johnston inspired Pershore to come out of the blocks quickly in the second half. Whilst in possession deep in Spartans territory an unforced error gave the ball to the home side who counter attacked and managed score beneath the posts. The conversion was added to make the score 13-10. It was not long before the scores were level when Spartans added another penalty. At this point Pershore’s forwards began to dominate in the lineout and the loose, however the battle in the scrum was a little more even. The running of Pershore’s forwards helped the visitors sustain some pressure near the Spartans line, and from a lineout and the ball was quickly spun wide to Winger Lee Riley to touch down in the corner. The conversion was added to give Pershore a 20-13 lead. This was again extended with another Martin penalty. The climax of the game was a little more nervy than it should have been. Levin Widmer was sin binned for throwing a punch only a few minutes after coming onto the field. From the penalty the home side kicked to the corner and managed to drive over for a try from the ensuing lineout. The conversion was added but it was too little too late as Pershore ran out worthy winners.

Pershore are in action again next Saturday when they make the trip to Thornbury for Western Counties North encounter.