Malvern 3’s 38 v 43 Pershore Socials

The hastily arranged fixture, following cancellations for both sides, was end to end stuff with the lead changing hands several times and a last gasp score deciding the outcome. Pershore opened the scoring early on, only for the home team to hit back with three of their own and seemingly take control. The visitors then had a period of control, scoring several tries from all over the field to take back the lead.

Strong running from the forwards of both teams meant that although a high score was on the cards, the match was still a bruising encounter, with crunching tackles coming in from both sides. Malvern hit back to take the lead just before half time, although it was only short lived, as straight after the break Pershore enjoyed a further period of dominance, with their father and son combinations playing well, 2 on the pitch and a 3rd on the bench, the younger of each looking the more likely to threaten the scoreboard!

The Piddle Park men, looked to have opened a commanding lead, only to be undone by some light hearted back chat resulting in a yellow card and the home side capitalised well to claw their way back into the match. With Pershore restored to 15 players and just 5 minutes left on the clock, the scores were locked at 38-38, both teams pushed for the winning score.

Pershore found themselves in a good attacking position and following good approach play, an attempted drop goal fell agonisingly short and the match seamed destined for a draw, but for a wicked bounced to elude the defence and drop into Ronnie Eksteen’s open arms for the winning score under the posts.

Tries were distributed across the age groups, with Critchlow, Pretty and Pullen chipping in for the veterans, Andrews, Rock and Fisher the younger on debut notably for the youngsters, Eksteen with the winner and just the Dads missing out!!