Evesham 7 Kings Norton 3

North Midlands South One

Kings Norton came away from this narrow defeat wondering why they had lost their first league match of the season to a side who offered them no real challenge.

The Ash Lane side's pack pushed their opposite numbers around the park but failed to turn their possession into points.

Too often the ball was either kicked away or wrong options taken allowing Evesham to steal the loose ball.

Norton's strong running full-back John Hefford was the first to show with a powerful long range run to the Evesham line after 10 minutes but this was well defended.

Evesham eventually opened the scoring with a counter attack after 17 minutes, their centre breaking through to touch down under the posts for a converted try.

Despite consistent pressure, the Hopwood side were unable to capitalise and they had to make do with a penalty from under the posts on the stroke of half-time which scrum half Ellis easily converted.

The second half mirrored the first with Kings taking the game to their opponents.

The final 10 minutes saw Kings pile on the pressure and were unlucky not to score first when hooker Cooksey lost the ball in a tackle as he crossed the line.

They looked set to score again with a magnificent pushover attempt at the scrum only for the referee to deny them as the packs headed towards the posts.

Kings Norton are at home on Saturday when they take on league newcomers and pacesetters Bredon Star, from Tewkesbury.

In the Worcestershire Merit Table, Kings Norton 2nds romped to a 75-0 victory over Evesham 3rds.

Kings Norton Rhinos u15s take on Baverstock School on Friday (ko 7pm) under the Ash Lane floodlights.

The team have also been entered into this season's North Midlands U15s Cup and will play their preliminary round game on Sunday, October 16.

The club's tag rugby course held by RFU development officer Ben Waterhouse was a big success involving a number of local school teachers.