Pershore 20pts, Hereford 12

THIS was a terrific performance from Pershore as a much changed side is finally beginning to settle down.

Boosted by the return of Jem Richardson and Levin Widmer they met Hereford, a side they had lost to last month, head-on.

The visitors took the lead after 15 minutes when a speculative kick ahead bounced kindly for their winger, who rounded the covering defence and touched down.

Pershore clawed their way back and, after ten minutes of pressure on the Hereford line, the visitors infringed and James Martin kicked the penalty.

The half-time pep talk must have done the trick because Pershore were a different side after the interval.

They refused to be intimidated by some unsavoury off the ball stuff and concentrated on the rugby and, under the inspirational leadership of Carl Evans, they began to dominate proceedings.

A solid scrum that eventually pushed Hereford around was followed by good line-out ball from which the backs had space and time to force Hereford on to the back foot.

When they spread the ball wide and then attacked the blindside, a hole in Hereford's defence opened up and the evergreen Sid Hirons accepted the invitation and touched down.

Hereford fought back and, when a vague decision by the referee, gave them a penalty chance, they took a quick tap and their pacy winger touched down under the posts.

Once again Pershore began to spend a lot of time in Here-ford's 22 and, when they opted to run two penalties they were rewarded with a try from Alex Peel after a bullocking run from Marcus Whyte. Martin converted.

With the clock running down, the victory was sealed when captain Evans stormed through three tackles. He was halted just short of the line but just managed to reach out and touch down.

Midlands Three West (South)

P W D L F A Pts

Barkers Butts 15 12 1 2 469 182 25

Pershore 15 11 0 4 275 233 22

Stratford 15 9 1 5 316 257 19

Hereford 15 9 1 5 284 244 19

Old Leams 15 9 0 6 235 226 18

Old Yards 15 8 1 6 340 304 17

Silhillians 15 7 0 8 293 246 14

Bedworth* 15 7 0 8 290 268 12

Earlsdon 15 6 0 9 248 262 12

Shipston 15 4 0 11 148 294 8

Ledbury 15 4 0 11 215 373 8

Droitwich* 15 2 0 13 161 385 2