WORCESTER RFC lost for the second week running in the Regional 2 West Midlands last weekend as they were beaten by Whitchurch away from home.

Following their 22-12 defeat to Hereford at home last Saturday, Worcester made the trip to Shropshire keen to bounce back but were up against is from the off and slipped to a 28-7 defeat.

Their failure to take anything from the game also meant they slipped down to fifth in the table, overtaken by both Old Halesonians and Malvern.

Malvern made it five wins in a row on Saturday as they proved too strong in the second-half for Evesham in a 46-11 bonus-point victory that took them up a place and into fourth.

The hosts had trailed 6-0 early on after two Evesham penalties and only led 15-6 at the break but rallied after the break to run in a total of seven tries to secure the maximum haul of five points.

"We started slowly and tried to force the game," said director of rugby Rob Cook.

"We took time to get into our usual flow. When we did we scored some good tries.

"It is always great to play in front of a big crowd. Today with the former players lunch we had the chance to do that. A big thanks to the crowd, players, coaches and team manager who have created real momentum.

"We wish Evesham well for the rest of the season."

Elsewhere, there was a first defeat of the season for league leaders Ludlow as the in-form Hereford cut the gap at the top of the league to just three points with a brilliant 23-7 win away from home.

Ludlow had taken the maximum 35 points from their opening seven league games but left the field empty handed as the visitors produced a terrific performance to seal a statement victory.

Bottom of the league Droitwich improved against Old Halesonians but could not get on the scoresheet in a 19-0 defeat that sees them still without a single point in the 2022/23 campaign.

The other games saw Stratford Upon Avon beat Crewe & Nantwich 32-18 and Walsall thump Wolverhampton 48-17.