Evesham 12pts, Keresley 17

EVESHAM went into Saturday's league game looking for a return to winning ways after two defeats but they found their opponents in resilient mood.

The Avon Street outfit started the stronger and scored an excellent early try courtesy of Simon Thwaites that Tom Archer converted brilliantly from wide out.

It was end-to-end stuff as both sides threw everything into attack. The Evesham pack proved more than a match for their renowned opponents with the ever-dependable Dave Scott and Tim Webb having massive games in the set-pieces.

Keresley showed just exactly why they are second in the table and responded with a try of their own after some sloppy defending.

Evesham are made of strong stuff these days and hit back swiftly with a superb try.

After good build-up play by the pack, the backs were unleashed and soft hands from Chris Evis and Rick Taylor enabled the elusive Matt Jacq-ues to round his winger and touch down.

Keresley finished the half the stronger and added a dubious converted try of their own to make it 12-12 at the break.

The hosts came out for the second half with all guns blazing and determined to get a result.

For long periods Evesham blew Keresley away with a barrage of attacks but, a combination of poor decision making and good defence, denied them another score.

Matt Grove was having a massive game in attack but failed to find a way through a solid rearguard.

In the previous meeting between the sides, Keresley scored a try in the last minute to force a tie and they struck again - this time to claim the last-gasp win following a lucky bounce.

Evesham are in North Mid-lands Shield action this weekend at Dudley Wasps.

Midlands Three West (South)

P W D L F A Pts

Barkers Butts 11 9 1 1 331 129 19

Pershore 10 9 0 1 197 110 18

Stratford 11 7 1 3 243 186 15

Old Yardleians 11 6 1 4 274 205 13

Silhillians 11 6 0 5 216 182 12

Old Leams 11 6 0 5 164 143 12

Hereford 10 5 1 4 190 190 11

Bedworth* 11 5 0 6 196 200 8

Earlsdon 11 3 0 8 152 222 6

Ledbury 11 3 0 8 152 290 6

Shipston 11 2 0 9 93 208 4

Droitwich* 1 2 0 9 124 267 2

Midlands Four West (South)

P W D L F A Pts

Solihull 10 9 0 1 313 70 18

Keresley 10 7 1 2 197 146 15

Worcester Wdrs 10 7 0 3 293 108 14

Edwardians 10 6 1 3 163 159 13

Evesham* 10 5 2 3 192 145 10

Old Hales* 10 5 0 5 172 181 8

Marconi 10 3 0 7 167 231 6

Berks & Bal 10 2 0 8 47 189 4

Manor Park 10 2 0 8 90 233 4

Southam 10 2 0 8 86 258 4

*Points deducted.