PERSHORE Rugby Club claimed the derby spoils with a 15-8 win over rivals Evesham in Midlands Three West (South).

It was a superb result for Pershore considering their injury list is now in crisis proportions with nine regular first team players out.

They had a second row in the centre, number eight at second row and open side flanker at eight. It was a dogged performance that showed bags of character and determination.

Evesham started the stronger and put Pershore on the back foot, but a good defence allowed Evesham only one penalty.

Pershore began to play to their strength and good driving play by the forwards allowed them to be camped in the Evesham 22 for the last 15 minutes of the first half.

From a line-out Robin Haines sold a superb dummy, cut inside the centre and round the full-back to score before converting his own try. The second half saw Pershore dominate for long periods but a stray last pass or an aimless kick allowed Evesham to re-group.

Dave Roscoe and Martin Hope were superb in the second row, with the ball in their hands Pershore went forward with purpose. Sid Hirons played intelligently at scrum-half, and from his quick thinking a half break from Haines released Jason Smith who touched down in the corner.

With time running out Evesham came back strongly again but Ben Pullin thwarted an Evesham break with a fine cover tackle in the corner.

From the ensuing line-out Evesham's flanker drove over the line to make it a sweaty final few minutes.

n In North Midlands One, Upton hammered Five Ways 43-5 but Bromyard suffered a 55-3 defeat at title favourites Solihull. Stourport edged out Redditch 10-8.

In Division Two, Tenbury clinched a fine 16-12 victory at Warley while, in Division Three, Bewdley went down 47-0 at home to Bournville and Greyhound slumped to a 13-9 reverse at the hands of Harborne.