EVESHAM U16s progressed to the next round of the North Midlands Plate with an excellent 12-0 victory over visitors Stourbridge on Sunday.
It was an intense and pulsating match between two competitive teams and the first half was all about Stourbridge’s attacking play against an unyielding defence.
The visitors had most of the ball, looked after it, ran hard and moved it well but every single Evesham player kept their heads, pressed hard and made their tackles.
From second row Mike Humphrey’s hard-hitting work around the fringes to full back Lewis Horne’s try-saving tap tackle, there was just no breaching the Evesham rearguard.
After the break the home side showed what they could do in attack.
Number eight Will Moreland won a penalty at the breakdown and drove it on himself, drawing in the defence for captain Liam Berry to crash through at centre and score.
Stourbridge nearly levelled but lost the ball as a try beckoned, before fly half Will Bugg scored a candidate for try of the season by breaking from his own line, side-stepping and sprinting his way to the other end of the pitch.
This was just the excitement needed to liven up a mid-winter Sunday morning and a hard earned reward for a great team effort.
Evesham U15s were beaten 31-21 at Hereford who snatched victory in the closing stages thanks to two interception tries.
The Subway man of the match for Evesham was James Cross. Their tries were scored by Josh Sellick (2) and Tristan O’Neill, whilst Owain Hann converted all three.
The U13s were 35-17 winners against Tewkesbury. Evesham’s tries came from Ben Cross (2), Connor Ellis, Rio Bryan, Jamie Sharpes and Aiden West.
The U9s drew 2-2 overall against Kidderminster Carolians as both a Red and Blue team won and lost one match each.
After losing their first game 5-0, the Reds won 8-5 as Jake (4), Billy (2), Theo and Alfie W scored tries.
The Blues won 10-7 in their opening encounter thanks to tries from Ben (5), Alfie B (2), Will, Darby and Daniel L before losing 8-3 despite tries from Alfie B (2) and Will.
EVESHAM’S Midlands Three West (South) match at Woodrush on Saturday was postponed, but they were boosted as promotion rivals Ledbury were beaten 24-0 at Southam.
Evesham are third, behind second placed Ledbury by virtue of number of games won, but now have a game in hand on the Herefordshire side.
Two points ahead in top spot are new leaders Old Coventrians, who like Evesham have played 12 games.
This Saturday Evesham are on the road to south Warwickshire to face struggling Harbury.