Evesham lose out in thrilling NM Vase final!
Saturday 9th May 2009

EVESHAM 6  -  ROSS ON WYE 12

Coventry Welsh bow out to Evesham 1st's
Saturday 18th April 2009

EVESHAM 17  -  COVENTRY WELSH 8

Legends’ Day A Roaring Success

 28th March 2009

Evesham Rugby Club held their inaugural “Legends Day” on Saturday and were overwhelmed with the response.  Over 100 former players, sponsors and supporters thronged back to the Clubhouse to swap stories, reminisce about the good old days and catch up with the state of play now. 

The Club was particularly honoured to welcome back John Plant, captain of the 1947 Evesham First XV, but players from every decade were represented, right up to those who have only just hung up their boots.  Gerry Hickey, long time player for Evesham and former Chairman, said, “I’m delighted the Committee has organised an event like this.  It’s been wonderful to see so many faces from the past.  We all love the Club, so it’s good to be back”. 

Over a buffet sponsored by former player, Pete Lawrence of Lawrence’s Bakery, guests reviewed the exhibition of archive material laid on for them, including old match day programmes, press reports and photographs, many of which can also be seen on the Club’s website. 

Next came a demonstration game, laid on by the Club’s most junior members, aged 5 to 7, impressing some of the older members with their skills.  This was the warm up to the main event, where everyone watched an ever strengthening current First XV side beat Coventrians 48 – 0, which took them to 3^rd place in the Midlands West 5 (South) league. 

Match ball sponsor, Steve Owens of Buzz Electrical Ltd, was impressed by the current team, “They are a quick side – it’s good to see some running rugby”. 

In the time honoured tradition of rugby clubs the world over, the day wound up in the bar, back at the Clubhouse, with a raffle raising over £200 towards the Club’s funds, and everyone agreeing that it would great for this to become an annual event. 

Prepared by: Kate Icke, Secretary, Evesham Rugby Club (01386 830892 / 07800 868088, kateicke@hotmail.co.uk) 

2nds Top the Table!
Saturday 28th March 2009

EVESHAM 15  -  Redditch 0

Evesham’s 2^nd XV kept up there Merit Table Division 1 title bid on track on Saturday with a hard fought victory over Redditch. The win keeps up Evesham excellent home record, which has not seen the side loose a league match at Avon Street all season.

Evesham started the game sluggishly and soon found them defending deep in their own half from the kick off, but their resolute defence saw them force the visiting side to concede a penalty and Evesham were able to clear. Those opening few minutes set the tone for the majority of the first half as several unforced errors from both sides caused the game to become scrappy with no real scoring opportunities for ether team. As the game entered the last ten minutes of the first half, the Evesham squad took it upon themselves to take the game by the scruff of the neck. 

Following break down the right wing the Evesham forwards secured lineout possession deep in the Redditch twenty two. The Evesham forwards drove on causing the visitors to concede a penalty, the resultant penalty move saw Evesham tie up several defenders and quick ball gave in left wing Charlie Stanley the opportunity to burrow over to score in the corner. 

This gave Evesham the boost they needed and from the restart flanker Clive Smart broke through the Redditch line and raced half the length of the pitch only to be stopped by an excellent covering tackle. The resulting field position did however give full back Will Badger the chance to cut through the defensive line to score to give the home side a 10 – 0 advantage at half time.

The second half saw Evesham continue to pressure the visitors with the home side spending large amounts of time in the Redditch half. The Evesham forwards were continuing where they had left off at the end of the first half, making several inroads into the Redditch defence. However the home side could not increase their lead as handling errors and solid last ditch defence from Redditch kept the score at 10 – 0 for a large period of time. It was going to take a piece of individual skill to increase the advantage and it came from outside centre Matt Jacques. 

Just inside the Redditch half he took an inside ball from fly half Mike O’Loughlin, cut through the visitors defence and out paced the covering defender to score and excellent try. This was Evesham’s final score and they held out for a scrappy but well deserved 15-0 victory. Evesham must now beat title rivals Worcester Wanderers in their final league game of the season to secure the title.

Next generation of Legends make their mark!
Saturday 28th March 2009

EVESHAM 43  -  COVENTRIANS 0

1st IV Hard work at Market Drayton!
Saturday 21st March 2009

MARKET DRAYTON 10  -  EVESHAM 17

Eveshams First team travelled away to Market Drayton on Saturday to play the second round of the North Midlands Vase. After a mammoth 80 mile journey and almost two hours in the car, the game was always going to be a hard task but after 10 mins it seemed that Evesham had left their good form and game plan at home. Market Draytons number 8 was proving a livewire from the first whistle and after being given a penalty on Eveshams five yard line, took a quick tap and dived over the line for the first score.
Evesham were struggling to get their preferred quick game going and the MD forwards were doing their best to slow the ball down at every opportunity. After a turnover of possession  by Luke Matthews and a thumping kick down field from Richard Moger the ball was won by Stu Smart leaping like a salmon at the line out to set the backs free for the first time. Good hands from Roly Holt and Will Tyrell put Ben Holme through a gap with only the full back to beat. A wicked swerve from Holme sent the defender the wrong way and he scooted in to score under the posts. A score that was duly converted by Biff Grove.
MD were soon back on the attack and after some lacklustre defending from Eves, the home second row crashed over for another score to put evesham 10 - 7 down at the break.
Coach Gary Diston had a few choice words for his players during half time, which seemed to do the trick, as Evesham immediately went on the attack and from a line out on MD's 5 yard line, a well rehearsed move led to Dave Scott barging over in the corner.
Evesham were still looking out of sorts and only managing to string together a couple of phases at a time, coupled with the constant killing of the ball and other infringements, tempers boiled over and Chris Maritza was sent to the sin bin. Evesham seemed to be fired up by this and after some good, aggressive rucking they found themselves running hard and straight at the home backline, soft hands and a burst of pace from Skipper Jamie Cameron released Grove, who in turn passed to Holme to score in the corner with ten minutes to go.
The fourth yellow card in two games appeared for an Evesham player, for what appeared an innocuous incident and set Evesham nerves jangling. They managed to hold on however and were relieved to hear the final whistle.

22nd IV Another home win!
Saturday 14th March 2009

EVESHAM 24  -  BROMSGROVE 3rds 3

Evesham’s second team took on Bromsgrove’s thirds in a merit league one clash at Avon Street on Saturday. Evesham are in a rich vain of form at the moment and were looking for another victory to keep up their title challenge.

 The home side had most of the early possession making several trips into the visitors twenty two but despite their dominance the home side could only manage one converted try and a penalty, all coming from fly half Mike O’Loughlin. The try came following a sustained period of pressure on the Bromsgrove try line which saw the Evesham forwards force their Bromsgrove counterparts to make several last ditched tackles. Following these rucks, scum half Mark Turpitt released O’Loughlin who crashed through two tackles to score under the posts. The home side then seemed to ease off a little and this allowed the visitors to gain a little forward momentum of their own with only a forward pass denying them a break away try. An earlier infringement in the move did result in a penalty which the visitors slotted over to make the score 10-3. This let off fired up the home side once more and again they continued to put pressure on their opponents try line. Evesham’s second score was one for the purists as a Bromsgrove scrum five metres from their own line was first stolen by the Evesham front row but not content with that the Evesham pack then proceeded to push the visitors scrum over their own try line to give number 8 Jim Moulton the task of scoring the try, again converted by O’Loughlin to make the score 17-3 at half time.

 The second half again saw the home side put the visitors under pressure with Evesham spending long periods of time in their opponents half but a combination of unforced errors and good defence denied them the chance of extending their advantage as Evesham had two try scoring attempts held up over the line. Evesham did manage to score one more converted try as a quick tap penalty five metres from the Brosgrove line saw centre Adam Huttlestone crash over to score under the posts. Late pressure from the visitors did give the Evesham defence some nervous moments but the held out for a deserved 24-3 victory.

1st IV Evesham make a meal of it at Pinley!
Saturday 14th March 2009

PINLEY 17  -  EVESHAM 20
 
Evesham's 1st XV were in action away at Pinley this weekend and after a couple of weeks of demolishing teams at home they knew this game would be a totally different prospect. Pinleys alarmingly narrow pitch was not in good nick and a hostile crowd awaited the visitors.
Eves started extremely brightly by taking the game straight to Pinley using quick ball from Scrum Half Chris Evis to release Fly Half Dave Marsh who ghosted through a huge gap left by Pinleys huge fly half to sprint clear and dot down under the posts. Biff Grove slotted the conversion.
Pinley had obviously heard about Eveshams quick game and pushed the rules to the limit wherever possible to slow the ball down, But evesham were again on the score sheet when Grove was put away in the corner after good work from Centres Richard Moger and Roly Holt.
Pinley managed to get hold of the ball and kept hammering away at the Evesham defence for long periods. This 9 man approach eventually paid dividends when the Pinley prop lumbered through some uncharacteristicly poor tackles and dived over the line.
At the half time break Evesham Prop Andy Tillesley was assessed by physio Tash Day and was advised not to return to the field after a hand injury. Veteran Steve Barker replaced Tillesley. 
Play resumed as it ended with Pinley constantly running their heavy forwards at the heart of the smaller Evesham defence, this physical assault led to a sin bin for each side and two minutes later an unfortunate incident led to a red card for Evesham. Again this seige of the Eves line paid off with another Pinley try being awarded after excellent work from the referee, to see a ball being grounded between numerous bodies from 35 yards away. Evesham stand in skipper Dave Scott delivered one hell of a motivational speech and Evesham made their way back up the pitch. After some good work from Henry Webb, Stu Smart and Craig Brotherton Evesham won a penalty which was duly slotted by Grove.
All this hard work was undone though, when the Pinley fly half used his boot to gain yards and launch an attack from a line out that duly led to a battering ram try for another forward.
Evesham picked themselves up and with all factors against them and only 14 men, ran wide at every opportunity. With two minutes to go they made the breakthrough with the backline using quick hands to find Chris Maritza on the wing who duly barged his way over for the decisive score with seconds left on the clock. It was a hard earned win for the largely young Evesham side and a real clash of styles with the cut and thrust of a quick Evesham side eventually triumphing over the lumbering Pinley heavyweights.
Next week Evesham are in Cup action, away at Market Drayton.

1st IV Continue Winning Spree!
Saturday 7th March 2009

EVESHAM 68  -  STOKE OLD BOYS 7

Fantastic February for Evesham 2nds

Evesham’s second team continued their great run of form, which has seen them loose only three games all season, with three comprehensive victories in the month of February. In the two league fixtures and one friendly encounter Evesham managed to rack up over 100 points scoring 18 tries whilst conceding only 19 points in the process. 

Kidderminster 12 - Evesham 41
Evesham started the month with an away trip to Kidderminster 2^nds for a merit table clash. Evesham expected a tough match but with a gutsy performance from the Evesham forwards and some excellent play from the back division, Evesham ran in seven tries, which included a hat trick from wing Ben Holme, for a 41 – 12 victory. 

Evesham 22 - Pershore 5
Their next encounter was another merit table clash this time at home against local rivals Pershore. These encounters are always of high intensity and this was no exception. The visitors started strongly and for the first ten minutes were deep in Evesham territory and this pressure resulted in the fist score as they crashed over for a try. This spurred Evesham into life and for the remainder of the first half had the majority of the possession keeping Pershore pinned in their own half for large periods. This pressure resulted in two tries for the home side, scored by centres Matt Jacques and Paul Turpitt. After the break Evesham continued to control the game with the Evesham forwards dominating both the scrum and the lineout and the Evesham back line making serious inroads into the Pershore defense. This constant pressure resulted in two more scores for the home side the first from flanker Tom Wynne after a slick backs move and the second saw fly half Mike O’Loughlin smash over for the fourth try which he also converted to give Evesham a fully deserved 22 – 5 victory. 

Evesham 47 - Bromsgrove 0
Then finally on Saturday Evesham took on and strong Bromsgrove Veterans side at Avon Street. Evesham were again prepared for a hard match as the visitors are renowned for their strong forward pack. Evesham started brightly and were soon on the score sheet with a well worked try that saw wing Sam Batty finish a well crafted backs move, fly half O’Loughlin converted to give Evesham a 7-0 lead. This fired the visitors up and only some strong defensive tackling keeping the visitors from crossing Evesham’s try line. Evesham hit back with a try from left wing Charlie Stanley, O’Loughlin again converting. Evesham continued to battle hard and solid defense from both the forwards and the backs restricted the visitors to very little time in the Evesham twenty two. Evesham managed to score a third try in the first half from flanker Stuart Smart as he broke through a tackle in mid field to score under the post, this was again converted to give Evesham a 21-0 lead at half time. 

Expecting a back lash from the visitors Evesham upper their intensity after the break and were soon rewarded with a forth try as a quickly taken line out allowed veteran centre Paul Turpitt a clear run to the line, O’Loughlin again converting. This score really affected the visitors and as they began to tire Evesham seized their opportunities and scored twice more with long range efforts from substitute wing Tony Brabazon and second row Clive Smart. Both tries were converted to give the home side a thoroughly deserved 47 – 0 victory. 

Ben’s brace takes the sting out of the Wasps.
Saturday 21st February 2009

EVESHAM 28  -  DUDLEY WASPS 7.

After a two week break due to inclement weather, Evesham’s first string were back in action on the road at Dudley Wasps on Saturday. The fine conditions were much to Evesham’s liking and they started strongly, with backs and forwards running hard at their opponents at every opportunity. This hard hitting approach paid dividends when a thumping tackle from Craig Brotherton and excellent rucking by Ben Whatmore and Liam Green led to turn over ball, scrum half Chris Evis released his backs and a great delayed pass from Mo Parkinson sent winger Ben Holme over in the corner for the first try after only 10 minutes. As the first half progressed it was clear that the Evesham front row of Jamie Cameron, Luke Matthews and Chris Maritza was in the ascendancy and the Wasps forwards were being pushed back at a rate of knots at scrum time. This dominance again led to quick ball for the Evesham backs who took full advantage, with good hands from Richard Moger and Roly Holt again releasing Holme from the halfway line and he out-paced his opposite number to dot down for his second try of the day and his 21^st of the season. Full back Biff Grove duly converted. Grove, who was obviously enjoying his game, slotted two more penalties after poor discipline from the Wasps who were starting to look forward to some relief from the half time break.

The Wasps made several changes at half time and the replacements made a big Impact. Evesham found themselves camped on their own 5 yard line for a long period early on and had it not been for excellent work at the line out from second row Dave Scott and great defence from Matt Brace, the Wasps would have undoubtedly made Evesham pay almost immediately but Evesham held strong until a silly penalty gave the home team an opportunity which they duly took by scoring under the posts. Evesham captain Jamie Cameron rallied his troops and they returned to the game plan and started to run at their opponents again, but it was clear that the break had rejuvenated the home side and that a ding-dong battle would be the feature of the second half. Craig Brothertons’ bone crunching tackles and frequent turn-overs would earn him Man of the Match and it was from one of these huge tackles that replacement Prop Andy Tillesley profited by stealing the ball and sending it wide and when Moger stepped inside his opposite number the Wasps fullback was wrong footed he crossed the whitewash and scored under the posts. Grove converted to secure the win for Evesham with the score-line at 28 – 7.

1st Team on a Roll!!
Saturday 31st January 2009

Manor Park 14 - Evesham 34

Evesham travelled away to Manor Park in Nuneaton. Evesham elected to play up the slope and with a vicious arctic like wind at their backs. Evesham were facing a large Manor Park team both in the forwards and backs. From the kick off the early exchanges were honours even. Evesham looking a little sharper at the breakdown their back row of Brotherton, Webb and Green showing early on what an effective back row unit they had become fast in attack and very strong in defence. 8 minutes in Manor Park were attacking close to Evesham's right hand touchline when their winger and back row were tackled and turned over by Henry Webb who turned defence into attack by stealing the ball and then looping round the two packs to link up with his fellow back rower Liam Green who quickly popped the ball to Mo Parkinson who held the pass for Skipper Cameron Evesham's only Prop-Centre playing at Inside Centre to burst onto the ball and smash through the Manor Park defence from just inside the 10 metre line and drag three defenders with him for the 30 metres he had to maintain his devastating burst to touch down under the posts for Will Tyrell the Full Back to convert putting Evesham 7 nil up.

With Manor Park holding a special event at their Club House there was an above normal number of vociferous supporters urging Manor Park on and they to their credit, for a largely young side attempted to respond to their support attacking with some effort. However, Evesham were a bit cannier at the break down and were able to quickly put Manor Park under pressure with Dave Scott securing the line out Evesham forwards opted to drive and suck in the Manor Park defence for Chris Evis to decide when he released a quick ball which he duly did for Mo Parkinson to attack a gap in the defence between the Manor Park 10 and 12 and smash his way through more like a rampaging forward than the Fly Half to touch down just to the left of the posts. Will Tyrell promptly converted and Evesham were 14 points up with 15 minutes gone.

Manor Park shored up their defence for the next 25 minutes  with Evesham holding their own and responding with intelligent use of the wind. Neither side was gaining much headway although Evesham were spending the majority of this time in their opponents half. Manor Park also were at this stage racking up a number of penalties in and around the breakdown a lot of them for not staying on their feet. Evesham kept the pressure up until 40 minutes were showing when they were awarded another penalty in front of the Manor Park posts and promptly took the penalty with Will Tyrell converting for an additional 3 points taking the score to 17 nil.

With that half time came and the sides turned round with Evesham having the slope and the wind having changed direction to more cross pitch than end to end. In the first half Evesham's scrum had taken a bit of battering but the Front Row of Maritza, Matthews and Tillesley were dogged in their determination to gain parity or win this contest against a larger heavier pack. It was from a scrum where Evesham able to attack from number 8 that led to the next scores with Evesham pack being far more effective in the loose with after 15 minutes on the clock Manor Park committed the same offence by going off their feet at a ruck gifting Evesham another three points from Tyrell's trusty boot. Evesham were 20 points up.

Manor Park attacked hard from the restart and were able to force Evesham to give away a soft penalty. Manor Park elected to kick with the wind but were inaccurate with the kick to touch with Ben Holme excellently catching and stopping the ball to go to touch he drove on making valuable metres bringing his forwards into play who drove on with Whatmore, Matthews, Maritza, Tillesley  and Scott making some hard yards  with Brotherton, Webb and Green acting as link men as Evesham went from their right hand touch to left hand before bringing the ball open again for Scrum half Evis to quickly pass the ball from a ruck to Parkinson, then Holt for Jamie Cameron to score his second by exploding through the defence from just outside the 22 metres and dot down under the posts although in the process nearly scaring the whole team as he went very near the dead ball line in the process. Tyrell again converted taking the score to 27 - 0.

Evesham tried to attack again with an excellent move from a long kick to Tyrell at Full back to make 30 m before linking with Holt and Brace for Matt Brace to be unlucky not to score and possibly re-earn the Golden Lame Man of the Match Award but to no avail. Manor Park now played some of their best Rugby and Evesham their worst. From the resultant Lineout Manor Park were able through some good kicking and a series of repeated offences at the breakdown and failure to retire from the penalty enable Manor Park to sit on their try line and despite stirling work from the pack concede a converted pushover try. With 25 minutes gone in the 2nd half the score was 27-7.

Manor Park sensed they had found a weakness and repeatedly tried to create situations where they could attack Evesham at the Scrum. Evesham's forwards licked their wounds and dug deep to defend their lines. Everyone defended with heart and contained Manor Park but were to the home sides credit unable to break out it was after 10 minutes of this pressure Evesham paid the price for not clearing their lines when eventually after everyone lost count of the phases  Manor Park were able to squeeze in a score and convert to take the score to 27-14.

Whilst Evesham had been under the cosh they showed their inestimable spirit by promptly attacking from the restart and having forced a scrum scored an excellently executed try with Green picking and going from Number 8, Evis collecting and popping to Winger Ben Holme to cruise through the defence and touch down out wide on the right hand side of the pitch.


There was a long injury break with the unlucky Jamie Cameron having to depart the field being replaced by Diston who moved to Scrum Half on account he could keep warm by the forwards and not stretch his ancient limbs too much. He gamely kept the link between forwards and backs going with Evesham gamely attacking until the final whistle being unlucky not to increase the lead from 32-14. with a revitalised Chris Maritza showing some of his strong loose play ably backed by Mr "Perpetual Motion" Luke Matthews.  

This was a full Team effort and the victory was well deserved with a 15 man defence and ability with a much changed team maintain the positive momentum from last week. Everyone took their celebrations home repairing back to Evesham Club House to attend a fund raising Celiedh (Barn Dance for those not familiar with gaelic traditions) making for a well deserved celebration and very well attended social event from all sections of the Club including partners, friends and underpinning the Club Motto of "As one or not at all"  to round off a perfect day. Huge thanks go from everyone to Mark Turpits, Sharon Sands and Julie Stoddart for their efforts in arranging a fantastic event.  Showing that Evesham is not only a success on the field but off it as well offering a friendly and inclusive place for families and adults alike.  Improvements at the grounds also have led to Evesham having the honour weather permitting of hosting England Under 20's for match preparation for their match on Friday 6th February Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

2nd's No Stoppin' Em'!
3rd January 2009

Evesham 2nds 66  -  Alcester 2nds 0  

Evesham 2nds took to the Avon Street field on Saturday looking to continue their recent winning run in this friendly encounter.

Both sides started tentatively, testing out the difficult underfoot conditions and each other both up front and out wide. It took Evesham fifteen minutes too settle and as soon as they had the home side started to dominate. Evesham’s forwards were starting to gain the upper hand and it was from a lineout that they scored their first try. The ball was secured and Evesham set up a driving maul and as the Alcester pack tried to drag the maul down, number 8 Jim Moulton made a blind side break from the maul to sprint in from the twenty two to score under the posts, fly half Mike O’Loughlin converted. Evesham's next score came from a wall worked backs move which saw the ball passed along the back line to allow wing Dave Jones to make a break up the left wing. As the Alcester defense got back to cover Jones put a chip kick through into space that allowed number 8 Moulton to grab the loose ball and crash over to score again converted by O’Loughlin.

The home side’s next try came from an excellent move that involved both forwards and backs. The ball was moved through several phases of play dragging the Alcester defense back and forth across the pitch until gaps started to appear in the visitor’s defense which allowed flanker Stuart Smart to score under the posts again converted by O’loughlin. Evesham's next two tries both came directly from restarts. The first saw the ball gathered by the Evesham forwards and the secured at a ruck, the ball was then passed crisply along the back line to release full back Paul Gillet to sprint  down the left wing to score. The second saw second row Gareth Shaw gather the ball and break through the on rushing defense to sprint half the length of the field and with the aid of the supporting Jamie Cameron score under the posts, O’loughlin converting both. Evesham's final first half score saw prop Jamie Cameron power over from 10 meters with fly half O’loughlin again converting to see the home side turn around 42 – 0 up at half time.

2nd's Keep Winning!
6th December

Evesham 2nds 43  -  Kidderminster 2nds 0

Evesham took to the field on Saturday looking to continue their good run of form in this merit league one clash.

 Evesham started the match brightly making several inroads into the Kidderminster defense both with the forwards and the backs. Evesham’s first try came from a line out deep inside the visitors twenty two. Evesham’s forwards secured position and the ball was then passed along the back line allowing winger Charlie Stanley the space to sprint over to score in the right hand corner. Mike O’Loughlin then converted from the touch line to make the score 7 – 0. Evesham then looked to capitalize on their first score and were soon rewarded with a second try as centre Paul Gillett crashed over to finish another well worked backs move. Soon after this the game was delayed by several minutes due to a severe ankle injury to one of the Kidderminster forwards.

 When the game resumed Evesham continued to pile the pressure on the visitors and their next score soon followed. Following a sustained period of forward pressure on the Kidderminster try line Evesham were awarded a scrum. Evesham’s forwards then provided the perfect platform for number eight Lloyd Giles to pick up from the base of the scrum and power over to score under the posts, converted by O’Loughlin. Evesham then proceeded to score two more tries in the first half. The first was again a fluid backs move; the ball was passed to replacement full back Mike Distan. He seemed heading to score in the right hand corner, but the covering Kidderminster defense seemed to make an excellent covering tackle but Distan managed to pass the ball inside to Charlie Stanley who crashed over to score his second of the game. Evesham’s final try of the first half came from second row Clive Smart who broke from the back of a ruck to score under the posts, giving Evesham a 29 – 0 lead at half time.

 Evesham looked to continue their dominance in the second half but Kidderminster had rallied after the break and were making life difficult for the home side. It took almost twenty minutes of the second half for Evesham to add to their score and it was full back Mike Distan who engineered the scoring opportunity, breaking the Kidderminster line before chipping the ball over the defending full back to score, O’Loughlin again converting. Evesham’s back row of Stuart Smart, Lloyd Giles and Ali Sands were continually causing Kidderminster problems and their excellent display was topped off with Evesham’s final try. Kidderminster failed to clear the ball properly from a lineout on their five meter line and flanker Ali Sands dived on the loose ball to score, with O’Loughlin again converting.

2nd IV On a roll!
20th September

Evesham 2nds 41  -  Dudley Kingswinford 5

After a mixed start to the season Evesham’s second team were looking to build on recent victories over Pershore and Old Yardlians in this merit table clash.

Evesham started well with the pack putting pressure on Dudley at both the scrum and lineout. This early pressure was rewarded with a try as following a ruck on the left hand side the ball was passed effortlessly along the back line for prop Chris Maritza to run the ball in from the twenty two with the try converted by Mike O’Loughlin. After this score Evesham continued to pile the pressure on the visitors and were rewarded again with a try in the right hand corner by winger Will Bailey which again was converted by O’Loughlin. An O’Loughlin penalty added to the score midway through the first half as the Dudley forwards were struggling to live with their Evesham counterparts in both the tight and the loose.  The visitors struggled to get out of their own half as Evesham pressed for further scores and the home side were rewarded twice more in the first half with second try’s for both Maritza and Bailey.

At the start of the second half the visitors rallied and some dogged defense was needed by the home side as the visitors looked for a way back into the game. This increased determination by the away side lead to a scrappy period of the match, with both sides giving away needless penalties through indiscipline at the breakdown. This indiscipline for the home side ultimately lead to Dudley’s only score as their second row burrowed over for a try. Evesham looked to fight back immediately and from the restart the ball was recovered and given to O’Loughlin who bombed a kick up the middle of the field and a fortunate bounce allowed Matt Jaques to claim the ball and race under the post to score, O’Loughlin converting again. This spurred Evesham on once more and from the restart a great piece of interplay between the Evesham forwards allowed the home side to go back on the offensive. Evesham continued to look for further scores and they were rewarded as Maritza picked up a ball that had bobbled loose from a ruck and powered over to score his third try of the day, which again was converted.

1st IV Late Charge not Enough!
20th September

Evesham were blessed again with a scorching day and a perfect pitch surface to play on for the fast and open style favoured by the home side. After last weeks excellent start everyone was looking forward to a home win. Pinley had other thoughts and started the game playing through their large and experienced pack.

 The score was opened by Pinley 7 minutes in capitalising on an Evesham transgression and scoring an easy 3 points from a penalty. Evesham responded well with another trademark try from Ben Holme as he left Pinley’s defence in his wake. The try was converted by Will Tyrell.

 Pinley set out their stall with a game plan based on a big defence and aggressive rucking. Evesham’s game plan was to get the ball out of the contact and set pieces and attack the Pinley back line at every opportunity. It became evident that Pinley were a well drilled and very street wise pack. Evesham were also starting to creak in the scrums with a number of them going backwards or collapsing all of which made for either slow ball for Evesham or for Pinley to use in their pick and drive rucking attack.

 Evesham were never lacking in commitment in the forwards and endeavour in the backs. They were undone at22mins in because of what appeared to be a strange interpretation of the tackle law as the Pinley Number 7 was tackled and was allowed to immediately regain his feet without releasing unfortunately Evesham were caught napping looking for the referee’s decision rather than playing what was in front of them. The try was subsequently converted. 

Evesham despite the set back looked to regain the initiative and fight themselves back into the game with an excellent individual try from Chris Evis at Fly half showing some youthful spirit in his legs despite being one of the veterans of the side breaking and beating the Pinley backline from 22 metres out..

 With honours virtually even at half time there was all to play for. Pinley started the more lively and created all the pressure which Evesham were not able to lift their game or gain possession for enough time to relieve the defence and start attacking themselves. 10 minutes in Pinley scored a try from an interception between the centres and wing. This rather took the wind out of Evesham’s sails and within 10 minutes they were another try down from concerted Pinley pressure.

 Evesham were tiring for a while and under real pressure at the set pieces which despite some heroic work by man of the match Luke Matthews including what will be probably the tackle of the season on his opposite number (definitely a 4 minute tackle leaving his opposite number a little unsure why he decided to play that day). Evesham were not without effort and spirit which will hold them in good stead they tried to apply pressure knowing that despite some of the troubles in the forward area they could still turn the match around. Evesham applied a lot of pressure in the last quarter unfortunately where last week they were running strait and letting loose their backs for fun the back line was not gaining any “go-forward” and were moving a little too laterally.

 The last quarter of the match Evesham were constantly attacking especially as a Pinley player was sin binned for a very literal interpretation of placing the boot where it was not wanted or desired.

 Credit to Pinley their defence held sound and the pressure Evesham were exerting was only realised in the 80^th minute with a fine try from Jacques. Evesham may rue this close loss later in the season if lessons are learnt we are all sure this can only help improve the play against similar sides.

1st IV in Superb Season Opener!
13th September

After grey skies and torrential rain of recent days, the near scorching Indian summer sun in Coventry heralded some blistering back play from Evesham. Seven tries from Evesham’s Back line with Ben Holme starting the season with a searing hat trick and Richard Modger close behind with two; reflecting a will and desire to run at the opposition at every opportunity and a hankering to hit the ball at pace and use quick hands to exploit the spaces they were creating. The score could have been added to by probably at least 5 tries had it not been for repeated forward passes as support players over ran the passer. The prospect is quite mouth watering; as the season develops and execution and understanding improves, the chances of converting more moves will significantly improve. 

The first half was a dogged affair where the Evesham pack had to contend with a large Coventrian pack that successfully counter rucked Evesham a number of times. Credit should be given to Coventrians as they held Evesham and attacked through their forwards. In stage the key was the defensive organisation and the ability to hold the defensive lines. Whilst all the glory goes to the backs in scoring all the points, the firm foundation was laid by an aggressive pack of forwards who were committed at the breakdowns, present in open play and initially held parity at set pieces in the line out and scrum. It was the pack that gave the platform for this impressive win. During this attritional phase of rugby of the first half Evesham spectators were getting a little nervous until Richard Modger opened the score with a brilliant burst from full back. Fly half Dave Marsh duly converted the score. 

The second half opened up and it was evident that the Evesham backs had started to get their radar working as the forwards were continually gaining or retaining possession and giving Scrum half Will Tyrell lots of possession for Dave Marsh at Fly Half to latch onto and put his back line in an attacking position. The evidence was six tries scored in the 2^nd half as the Evesham forwards took the steam out of their opponents to the extent that Coventrians ended up the match with only 14 men and had used all their substitutes due to players injured. 

Ben Holme opened up the 2^nd half scoring after an interchange of passes he used his speed and agility to finish a jinking run just right of the posts. Dave Marsh again converted this try. 

The next try was not long in coming with Tyrell and Marsh delivering quick ball from the forwards to the backs this time Mike O’Laughlin playing at Inside Centre as substitute for James Bowen providing a half break and offload for Richard Modger to exploit as he came into the line as full back. Coventrians really had no answer to the threat that Modger posed as he kept their Back row and centres honest by having to cover the gaps he threatened 

Coventrians did not give up and gave it their best through their forwards and then Evesham would gain possession from a set play and despite what would appear to be one of the narrowest pitches look to use their speed merchants out on the wings. From this type of move Ben Holme added his second try from an attacking scrum and great support work as the back line drew defenders before a surging run from Ben simply left Coventrians for dead. 

Evesham’s penultimate try came from open play with Richard Modger entering into the attack by charging down a kick retrieving the ball and passing out to Flanker Toby More to make a 20 m in a surging run followed by pass to Ben Holme who chipped ahead and was beaten to the touchdown by a excellent piece of thievery by Matt Grove who made sure of the score before the ball went dead. 

The last try brought the match to an end from the resultant restart; Lukasz Laskowski Evesham’s Man mountain of a prop receiving, charging bull like through three or four defenders giving that vital go forward with the rest of the pack securing fast ball for Tyrell to fire out down the line through the hands of Marsh, O’Loughlin, Holt and then into the hands of Ben Holme with 60 metres to go and desperate to buy a jug for his team mates simply fizzed past the Coventrian defenders squeezing down the touchline to touchdown on the right. 

In summary Evesham pack competed as a unit with Sam Wigg leading the charge making some great cover tackles followed by the ever youthful Tim Webb and Ben Whatmore attacking the Coventrian Lineout, Luke Matthews, Gareth Campbell and Lukasz Laskowski dominated in front row and gave enough possession for an adventurous and fast back line to do the damage hence the Seven tries.