Sills sunk as dominant hosts dish out a lesson

SATURDAY saw an emphatic victory for Pershore who dominated up front and Sills suffered a torrid time in the scrums as Nigel Hardiman and the rampaging Carl Evans handed out a harsh lesson.

James Martin kicked an early penalty to settle Pershore nerves and, from then on, they dictated play.

A line-out close to the Sills' line was won cleanly. Martin Hope drove up the middle and, from a quick ruck, the ball was spun down the blindside where powerful winger Steve Holmes was on the end of the last pass to touch down.

Sills' tempers began to fray and they were quickly punished when the first of two players was sin-binned. From the ensuing penalty the alert Andy Watson took a quick kick to himself and touched down. Martin converted.

Pershore upped the pressure in the second half and were rewarded with a try from Hope after excellent build-up play from the hard running Ian Hurley and the elusive Adrian Hanson.

Home dominance was further rewarded when, from a line-out, they drove forward, the maul was unstoppable and Jem Richardson claimed the final touch.

Pershore now relaxed and allowed Sills to land two late tries but the league points were never in doubt.

The Piddle Park club's second team beat Old Halesonians 21-20 but the thirds lost 15-14 to the same opposition.