Bedworth 30 pts, Pershore 15

A CRASH on the motorway meant that the Pershore players turned up ten minutes before kick-off.

With no proper warm-up and mental preparation it was no surprise that they were 15-0 down after ten minutes. Bedworth started at a furious pace and ferocity to which Pershore had no answer. They had not left the starting blocks.

Soon after this initial onslaught, Pershore settled down and started to play quality rugby and a smart passage of play from backs and forwards alike saw Jem Richardson crash over and Robin Haines convert.

No sooner had Pershore settled down when they lost prop Carl Evans and inspirational flanker Levin Widmer to leg and throat injuries respectively.

Bedworth started the second half well and pinned Pershore back with probing kicks from their fly-half. The referee also gave Bedworth some curious penalty decisions as they increased their lead through a succession of kicks.

Pershore showed marvellous character and dominated the latter stages of the match and were rewarded with a Phil Green try and a Haines penalty.

Pershore now await Saturday's home clash with Evesham.