Seconds sign off with a ten-try feast

EVESHAM completed another prolific season with a record of 28 matches played, 20 won, seven lost, one drawn and a total points tally of around 850.

The final match last Saturday against local rivals Pershore was no exception with 11 tries scored, ten by Evesham and one by the visitors.

Although the weather provided the elements for champagne rugby the game was an uninventive affair. Evesham opened the match with the intensity and passion normally associated with these meetings but Pershore seemed unwilling to reciprocate.

Within five minutes of the start Evesham scored their first points. A series of punches up the middle by the forwards resulted in winger Maude taking advantage of gaps in Pershore's defence to score in the corner.

The second followed almost immediately from the restart with full-back Archer coming into the attacking line and dummying his way through the defence. Pershore responded well to this early onslaught and managed to reverse the pressure for a short period in which the wing forward found his way to score.

Following the frantic pace of the first quarter, the game settled with a forward battle for possession and some spoiling by the pressured Pershore forwards. Evesham, though, finally took control of the situation through some hard rucking and solid set-pieces.

Good ball was fed to the backs who used their handling skills to undo the Pershore defence. Veteran centre Ted Leonard scored next eluding the defence to score under the posts. Maude converted.

Frustrations increased in the Pershore ranks resulting in many spoiling offences and a disjointed remainder to the first half. In an attempt to maintain possession Evesham kept play tight in the forwards for a period resulting in wing forward Archer powering his way over. Evis converted.

Winger Maude had the final say in the first half to make the interval score 29-7.

The second half continued in much the same vein with more spoiling by Pershore and still more tries for Evesham. Centre Leonard graced the try area a second time, this time intercepting a loose pass, and racing for the try line. Evis again converted.

A penalty soon ensued after the restart and to add insult to injury and scrum half Evis used his quick vision to take a tap penalty and race in at the corner.

Once again the Evesham forwards tightened up the game and powered their way upfield and hooker Capaldi barged his way over under the posts.

But it was centre Parkinson who scored the try of the match as he evaded numerous tackles, turning and spinning his way through to finish with a salmon-like dive into the corner.

The match certainly finished as one-way traffic with winger Badger making it 58-7 to Evesham at the final whistle.

With this season's performance under their belt the seconds can look forward to next season with captain Mark Turpitt and direction from coach Allyn Cross.