Pershore 46 pts, Droitwich 7

PERSHORE continued their winning ways last Saturday with an emphatic win over their local rivals.

The hosts started the match at a frantic pace and intensity, camping in their 22 and putting consecutive phases of play together.

James Martin quickly converted a penalty and, when Droitwich cynically killed the ball when under pressure, Pershore were awarded a penalty try, again converted by Martin.

Droitwich hit back and a lapse in concentration allowed Matt Blackmore to exploit a gap and then convert his own try.

Pershore then grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and squeezed the life out of the visitors. Their pack totally dominated with the impressive back row of Bassett, Hope and Richardson ripping big holes in Droitwich's defence.

The evergreen Sid Hirons jinked past several defenders to touch down and the next score came from a scrum when Jem Richardson pounced on a loose ball and crashed over.

Hirons soon doubled his tally after an exquisite pass from Steve Holmes and, on the stroke of half-time, a delightful break from Robin Haines was taken on by Ben Pullin and Luke Eversham for Ian Hurley to finish the move before Martin's successful conversion.

Playing against the wind in the second half meant that Pershore had to work much harder and they did.

Playing intelligently and keeping the ball in hand, they outplayed Droitwich and were rewarded with two fine tries, one from the improving Andy Jenkinson and the last score of the game from the towering Martin Hope. Man of the match Martin converted both.