Southam 5, Pershore 13pts

ALTHOUGH Saturday provided a welcome away win, it was dampened by another spate of injuries just as Pershore's problems seemed to be getting better.

Martin Hope, Carl Evans and Andrew Watson all left the field before half-time, while James Martin and Steve Holmes both battled on throughout the second half in obvious discomfort.

The game was a dour affair with Pershore enjoying most of the territory and possession in the first half.

Southam's clinical killing and slowing down of the ball meant that Pershore's backs didn't get the space their forwards had created for them.

For their efforts Martin kicked a penalty but a further three attempts went begging as Per-shore decided to run the ball.

A speculative kick from Sout-ham's fly-half went deep into the visitors'22 from where Pershore counter-attacked only for an opposition wing to intercept and touch down.

Considering the amount of time spent in the Southam half it was a bit of a body blow!

However, Pershore regained their rhythm and, after three rucks, the ball was sped wide to Steve Holmes who blasted through his winger before touching down.

The second half initially saw Southam playing with more control and commitment, but Pershore's defence was resolute and, after absorbing a lot of pressure, they began to stem the tide.

The final ten minutes was spent in Southam's 22 and Paul Sanders touched down but as the referee was 30 metres away and unsighted he refused to award the try.

From the resulting scrum, though, a back row blindside move released Sid Horns who provided an inch-perfect pass for Holmes to score in the corner and seal victory.

Pershore's major worries ahead of Saturday's visit of Keresley is their massive injury list.