Pershore 15pts, Old Silhillians 31

PERSHORE suffered a disappointing loss last Saturday when their poor recent form continued.

It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance with the hosts played well in the first half when the forwards got their rucking game going and their ball carriers made ground.

They were rewarded when prop Damian May picked up from a driving ruck and crashed over. James Martin converted and soon extended his side's lead with a penalty but Sills bounced back and, from a line-out, they drove towards Pershore's goalline, and proved unstoppable.

Smith converted the touch down but Pershore surged back and once again a fine rucking game allowed the backs space to spin the ball wide and, when veteran winger Matt Harwood was faced with a one on one, he surged past a defender to score a terrific try in the corner.

Again Sills pegged Pershore back with some fine tactical kicking they scored again following a line-out and and the conversion was successful to trim the gap to just one point.

Crucially, on the stroke of half-time, Pershore had a simple three-on-one advantage to extend their lead, but unfortunately the ball carrier took it on himself and the chance went begging.

The second half saw the undefeated visitors take charge with Pershore simply switched off and appearing to run out of ideas.

Their direct approach work was thwarted by some fine tackling, while their kicking was aimless and time and time again they simply gave the ball back to the opposition.

Top of the table Sills were thus allowed to run out comfortable winners as they crossed for three second half tries.

On the positive side Pershore are capable of better but they will need to be at their best at second in the standings Stratford on Saturday.