Evesham 12pts, Worcester Wdrs 26

EVESHAM started their league campaign last Saturday and went down to defeat against much improved opposition.

The game started at a frenetic pace that was maintained throughout. The first 15 minutes were evenly contested and, after soaking up early pressure, Evesham opened the scoring.

A line-out was won just outside the 22 from where the ball was moved efficiently along the line. Winger Mark Williams then got the better of his opposite number to touch down in the corner.

Wanderers hit back quickly and two tries, one of which was converted, left the hosts trailing 12-5 at half-time.

Evesham won a healthy share of first phase possession throughout the game as the line-out and scrum worked effectively, but they elected to kick much of this away, conceding territory and handing the initiative to the visitors.

Despite some stout defending an organised and committed Worcester side made the Avon Street outfit pay with two more converted tries in the second period.

To their credit, Evesham never let their heads drop and they were rewarded with a try near the whistle.

The pack won a line-out deep in the visitors' 22 and drove towards the line before open side flanker Joe Worth broke away to score under the posts. Richard Taylor had the afternoon's final say with a successful conversion.

Chaddesley Corbett 37,

Evesham II 5pts

EVESHAM hit the road for Saturday's friendly with 11 changes from the previous week's outing and struggled to contain their county hosts.

The visiting forwards battled through the first half and won good possession but poor decision making and bad handling allowed Chaddesley to capitalise and score a couple of tries.

The Evesham pack responded well and drove possession up to the home line and No 8 Wayne Bridge powered over for a deserved reply.

However, a further try and penalty left Evesham trailing 20-5 at the break ahead of a scrappy second period.

With Chaddesley having a prop sin-binned, that led to uncontested scrums, the game fragmented as a stream of errors handicapped both sides

The hosts finished the game stronger and added three more tries and the losers will be hoping for better luck on Saturday when they start the defence of their Merit League title at home to Ledbury (3pm).