Evesham Casuals 25 v 21 Pershore Socials

With both sides keen to play attacking rugby and having a good mix of youth and experience, the supporters were treated to a tight contest, with the home team just coming out on top.

Pershore started the brighter with some good play putting the home side under pressure, but it was Evesham who opened the scoring, taking advantage of some narrow defending to round the last player and score, for a 5-0 lead.

Pershore hit straight back away with the mercurial Dave Snell causing problems from the start, unleashing Josh Hardiman to crash in under the posts for a converted score and a 5-7 lead. Snell was again the architect shortly afterwards, this time putting veteran Martin Hope through, who carved his way to the line for another converted score and a 5-14 advantage.

Evesham then had their best part of the game, with the visitors taking the foot of the gas, scoring each side of half time to sneak ahead 15-14, with a further penalty extending the lead to 18-14.

The match continued at a fast pace, opening up with old legs tiring, with supporters enjoying the end to end action. Pershore gained the ascendancy once again, half way through the second period, substitute Dave Oliver darting through under the posts for converted score to put the visitors ahead again 18-21.

Evesham were not to be outdone though and with time running out pushed downfield for the winning score. Pershore seemed to have repelled the pressure, but the referee thought otherwise and awarded the home team a penalty try, handing them the victory in a well fought encounter.

The Socials take a break this coming Saturday, with Pershore 1st XV entertaining league leaders Stoke Old Boys at Piddle Park, KO 14.15