Early season test is too soon for juniors

SUNDAY'S rearranged fixture proved too big a test so early in the season for the Evesham boys.

The pace was fast and frenetic from the start with good open play from both sides making for an entertaining first half.

Worcester took a 12-point lead but, such was the openness of the game, that it was a full 20 minutes before the first line-out when the pace suddenly began to tell on the home side.

Valiant defence by Callum Lance, Josh Greatrix, Mike Gander, Ross Hayward and player of the match Mike Ibbotson resulted in Worcester being held up twice over the line but the visitors' superiority again led to another unconverted try just before the interval.

Half-time changes saw Adam Mea-dows, Tom Singleton-Wells and Ian Sime replaced by Russell Boyles, Andrew Cook and Jamie Fisher and Evesham then dominated the first quarter with captain Mike Diston driving his men forward at every opportunity.

The home side were camped in the Worcester half for long spells and were unlucky not to score.

The forwards began to set the solid platform for Henry Appleby, Cook, Sam Hopkins and the Farrar twins to strike, but an interception led to another Worcester try under the posts. Evesham never gave up and continued to drive forward in search of that elusive score only to be punished again by another Worcester breakaway.