PERSHORE sailed into the third round of the EDF Senior Vase after an emphatic 53-13 victory over Shrewsbury at Piddle Park.

The home side ran in nine tries with number eight Mart-in Hope bagging a hat-trick.

The writing was on the wall for the visitors after just a few minutes.

Pershore’s pack had already started to flex their muscles and, after dominating a scrum deep in Shrewsbury territory, Hope picked up and scored.

Pershore scored again a few minutes later when the visiting scrum came under extre-me pressure and flanker Chris Copson dived on the ball over the line after the scrum-half fumbled.

The Piddle Park men were now 12-0 up and it seemed they had not even got out of first gear.

Shrewsbury replied with a penalty before grabbing a try to close the gap to just two points.

Pershore then started to move through the gears and winger Andy Jenkinson scor-ed in the corner before centre Angus MacDonald, on his debut, went over.

Veteran Matt Harwood scor-ed another try for the home side after Shrewsbury had slotted a second penalty giving Pershore a 29-13 lead at the break.

The second-half was all Pershore.

Winger Marcus Whyte, who caused the visitors problems all afternoon, collected a chip ahead from Adrian Hanson and scored in the corner.

Jenkinson completed his brace shortly before Hope ran in two more tries for his treble.

The Piddle Park side are back to league action on Saturday when they visit Shipston.