Pershore 6pts, Evesham 3

THIS was a thoroughly absorbing contest although the scoreline suggests otherwise it was an entertaining match.

Evesham were bent on revenge after losing in the North Mid-lands Cup only last month but this time league points were at stake.

Pershore absorbed Evesham pressure from the kick-off, defending well and putting pressure on the Evesham runners forcing them to make mistakes.

Soon into the game a pattern emerged. Pershore were much stronger up front winning great line-out ball on their own and Evesham's throw. But it was in the scrummage that Evesham suffered.

Pershore's front row of Nigel Hardiman, Blair Hunter and Buster Smith gave their counterparts a torrid time ably supported in the second row by Martin Hope and Dave Roscoe.

The Evesham scrum went backwards throughout the game giving their scrum-half and no 8 poor ball to work with. From a scrum Evesham infringed and Robin Haines kicked a difficult penalty.

The second half was much he same with Pershore controlling proceedings but not quite dominating.

For all the home side's possession they couldn't find a way through a resolute Evesham rearguard but, to be fair, Pershore's defence was also up to the task especially as the visitors looked dangerous on the counter.

PL:50runi.jpg:Defences on top: A Pershore attacker is faced with two Evesham opponents during Saturday's rugby clash at Piddle Park. Picture by LOUISE BARNSLEY

Midway through the second period, the visitors conceded another penalty and Haines duly stroked the ball between the uprights.

On the stroke of full-time, Chris Evis kicked three similar points to at least earn his side some consolation but Pershore hung on for a second successive derby triumph.

It's back to knockout action this weekend for the Piddle Parkers who play host to Newport in the quarter-finals of the North Midlands Cup, kick-off 2pm.

Evesham, meanwhile, are scheduled to visit Droitwich for a friendly on Saturday.

English Clubs Championship

Midlands Three West (South)

P W D L F A Pts

Silhillians 9 7 1 1 198 113 15

Leamington 9 7 1 1 178 94 15

Bedworth 9 7 0 2 163 71 14

Pershore 9 4 1 4 143 138 9

Keresley* 9 5 0 4 197 124 8

Nuneaton OEs* 9 4 1 4 107 108 7

Old Leams 9 3 0 6 174 156 6

Evesham 9 3 0 6 124 141 6

Old Coventrians 9 2 0 7 128 201 4

B'ham Exiles 9 1 0 8 54 320 2

*Points deducted.

Midlands Two West

P W D L F A Pts

Old Laurentians 10 9 0 1 369 68 18

Bromsgrove 10 9 0 1 415 133 18

Stratford 10 8 0 2 253 141 16

Newbold 10 6 0 4 207 189 12

Stafford 10 5 0 5 236 229 10

Burton 10 5 0 5 179 183 10

Wolverhampton 10 4 0 6 220 225 8

Derby 10 4 0 6 177 201 8

Sutton Coldfield 10 4 0 6 131 256 8

Shrewsbury 10 3 0 7 123 294 6

Stoke-on-Trent 10 2 0 8 104 188 4

Newport 10 1 0 9 98 405 2