Southam 10, Evesham 20pts

IN APPALLING conditions, Evesham elected to play into the strong wind and up the slope.

The much larger home pack adapted to the poor weather better than the lighter but more mobile Evesham pack.

After a few early exchanges, the visitors were first to go close to scoring through Simon Thwaites.

However, after 20 minutes, it was Southam who crossed for an unconverted try after a five yard line-out. Evesham's def-ence, yet again, was outstanding with Lloyd Jiles, Chris Maritza and Dave Scott in top form but they failed to prevent the Warwickshire outfit from doubling the try tally just before half time with another close-range drive.

Evesham started the second half strongly and immediately wiped out the deficit.

After strong work from the Evesham pack, a clever backs move allowed Chris Evis to put Rick Taylor through and veteran Paul Turpitt raced in at the corner for an outstanding try.

Evesham were now in the ascendancy and were soon back in the Southam half. The pack was getting the better of their unfit Southam counterparts and supplied the speedy back division with an ample supply of ball.

Another backs move produced another Evesham try with Taylor getting on the end of some great running rugby to score a try wide out.

With Southam not being able to get out of their half, Evesham sensed that they were there for the taking.

And it was man of the match Jiles who bulldozed his way over a brilliant individual score.

Taylor's conversion gave Evesham the lead for the first time and a further penalty sealed a deserved win.

Evesham are back in league action on Saturday against old rivals Edwardians (3pm).

League standings

Midlands Four West South

P W D L F A Pts

Keresley 5 5 0 0 100 49 10

Worcs Wdrs 5 4 0 1 203 348 8

Solihull 5 4 0 0 179 32 8

Evesham* 5 4 0 1 89 58 6

Edwardians 5 3 0 2 61 102 6

Marconi Cov 5 1 0 4 97 103 2

Old Halesonians* 5 2 0 2 74 124 2

Berks & Balsall 5 1 0 4 29 87 2

Manor Park 5 1 0 4 52 124 2

Southam 5 0 0 5 42 199 0

Midlands Three West South

P W D L F A Pts

Barkers Butts 6 6 0 0 219 55 12

Pershore 5 5 0 0 126 61 10

Old Yardleians 6 4 0 2 161 102 8

Silhillians 6 4 0 2 136 96 8

Old Leams 6 4 0 2 100 97 8

Stratford 6 3 0 3 117 93 6

Hereford 5 3 0 2 88 69 6

Earlsdon 6 2 0 4 84 123 4

Shipston 6 2 0 4 60 119 4

Ledbury 6 1 0 5 73 195 2

Bedworth* 6 1 0 5 92 140 0

Droitwich* 6 0 0 6 77 183 -2

*Points deducted.