Pershore 8pts, Solihull 19

ALTHOUGH Solihull were a good well organised team, Pershore played well below par compared to their usual standards.

The forwards were less aggressive and dominant than of late and the scrum was under pressure throughout the afternoon. The line-out was again excellent but, apart from one variation, was predictable and easy to defend.

The backs, meanwhile, were guilty of a lack of cohesion, too many poor passes and lack of imagination.

Solihull, for the majority of the first half, were the better team as they dominated possession and mixed up the attack.

They used the catch and drive to good effect from the line-out, mixed lines of running up in the backs and kicked intelligently.

Their first try came from turnover ball in the middle of the park that was quickly sped through supporting hands for winger Philip Watson to touch down. Jim Quantrall converted.

Pershore's first visit to Solihull's 22 resulted in a converted penalty by James Martin.

Solihull quickly responded and, after a series of rucks on the Pershore line, No 8 Dan Gall-agher sneaked over and again the conversion was good.

Just before half time, a well-worked line-out move from Pershore reaped rewards when Martin Hope tore down the blindside and squeezed in at the corner.

The second half was a dour affair with each side taking it in turns to keep ball for ten minutes at a time with neither really looking like scoring.

Solihull scored a neat try from the game's final play following a scrum after a miss-pass and a dummy run from the full-back.

Pershore will be hoping to get back on track when they visit Earlsdon on Saturday.

Midlands Three West (South)

P W D L F A Pts

Silhillians 3 3 0 0 125 36 6

Stratford 3 3 0 0 86 38 6

Earlsdon 3 3 0 0 61 28 6

Solihull 3 3 0 0 51 23 6

Pershore 3 2 0 1 82 36 4

Old Coventrians 3 1 0 2 55 54 2

Hereford 3 1 0 2 55 65 2

Bedworth* 3 2 0 1 57 36 0

Keresley 3 0 0 3 23 57 0

Nuneaton OEs 3 0 0 3 45 83 0

Old Leams 3 0 0 3 40 122 0

Ledbury 3 0 0 3 17 119 0

*Points deducted.