On Saturday Pershore hosted West Bridgford from Nottingham in the semi final of the Midlands Senior Vase. Due to the ongoing wet weather in the area Pershore gave up home advantage and were kindly offered a pitch at Marlpool Lane, home of Kidderminster Carolians RFC. Without home advantage and with an inferior league record in this seasons campaign Pershore would have gone in to the fixture with the underdog tag however this was never apparent.

The ‘home’ team scored early and never relinquished the lead. A turnover in their own 22 enabled winger Stefan Ellis to get his hands on the ball early and show exactly what he is capable of, showing a clean set of heals in outpacing his opposite winger and full back to score an unconverted try. The lead was extended with the dominant Pershore pack marching the opposition back from 40 yards out. A series of pick and drives the base of the ruck gave the platform for second row Luke Hardiman to score, converted by captain Lewis Dolphin. Pershore continued to use the driving lineout to good effect and managed to suck enough players in to create gaps in the visiting defence. Ellis was again on hand to take advantage making a break and popping the ball back inside to centre Tommy Hayes to score, Dolphin again converted. Pershore looked comfortable but the comeback began as West Bridgford started to show what they were capable of and pulled the score back with 2 converted tries. However, just before the break Josh Hardiman scored to give Pershore a 22-14 lead at the break.

Pershore were first to strike in the second half, another driving lineout saw Martin Hope score a converted try. West Bridgford began an onslaught which lasted for long periods but the Pershore defence was resolute and at times heroic. Pershores lead was extended with winger Ashley White scoring an unconverted try in the corner and despite a late West Bridgford score Pershore were more than worthy of their 36-22 win.

The final of the Midlands Senior Vase will be at Piddle Park on Saturday March 15th against Stewarts & Lloyds RFC from Corby, Northamptonshire. The game is, in effect, the quarter final of the national competition which sees the final played at Twickenham in May.