Shipston 6, Pershore 26pts

EVEN with a couple of late changes to the starting line-up, Pershore continued their fine recent form.

With Shipston just above the relegation area, they should have had the greater desire to win but everything they threw at Pershore was soaked up and dealt with.

Shipston started the stronger but a succession of attacks were thwarted thanks to some solid defending.

The midfield tackling from James Martin, Ian Hurley and Ben Pullen was of the highest quality and Pershore's only downfall was their rucking out of hand that gave Shipston undeserved possession.

When Pershore put together some fine phases of play they caused confusion in the home defence.

Ed Day made a blindside break from a ruck before passing to Adrian Hanson, who sidestepped two tackles, outsprinted the full back and touched down. Robin Haines converted.

Late in the first half, two Shipston penalties narrowed the lead but the visitors were back in the ascendancy after the restart.

Their scrummage began to get on top especially down the slope and, from one such set-piece ten metres out, a concerted drive forced Shipston back.

Jem Richardson, controlled the ball at No 8 and, when his pack went completely over the line, he touched down. Haines again converted.

Pershore began to use their possession well and were rewarded with a fine brace of scores from Steve Holmes.

Wingers throughout the season have learnt that it is foolish to tackle Holmes high as he will just brush you off as his opposite number and home full back now know to their cost.

Both tries came from the halfway line as Holmes bulldozed his way through some attempted tackles to leave Haines to convert one to complete the scoring.

Carl Evans for his leadership, some fine tackling and overall play, was named Pershore's man of the match.

Midlands Three West (South)

P W D L F A Pts

Barkers Butts 18 14 1 3 514 202 29

Pershore 18 14 0 4 351 247 28

Hereford 18 12 1 5 389 274 25

Old Leams 18 11 0 7 299 277 22

Stratford 18 10 1 7 345 291 21

Old Yardleians 18 9 1 8 371 368 19

Bedworth* 18 10 0 8 342 299 18

Silhillians 18 8 0 10 328 294 16

Earlsdon 18 8 0 10 325 306 16

Shipston 18 4 0 14 173 350 8

Ledbury 18 4 0 14 248 448 8

Droitwich* 18 2 0 16 182 511 2

*Points deducted