Evesham 8pts, Trinity Guild 3

EVESHAM made hard work of their first round NPI Cup encounter on Saturday at home against Trinity Guild winning by a narrow margin.

In truth the margin should have been bigger but Evesham failed to convert their many opportunities into points and in the end had to rely on some good defensive play to see them through.

During the first 20 minutes Evesham were camped in the Guild 22 but were unable to get over the line as attempt after attempt was held up.

Firstly, centre Ian Hurley was held up as the ball was moved back inside from winger Simon Beard. Then number 8 Andrew Jackson broke off a scrum only to be denied by the narrowest of margin.

Flankers Lloyd Jiles and Luke Matthews were stopped on successive plays with Matthews adjudged to have made two movements before touching down.

The visitors took strength from this and soon after took the lead with a penalty goal.

Evesham skipper Phil Parsons tried to square the scores only to see his attempt drift wide of the up right and then a drop goal attempt come back off a post. Eventually, though, Evesham did score and it was a drop goal from Parsons, which levelled the scores.

Evesham continued to perform well in the tight with the scrum and line-out working well, but their play in the loose was not as effective and possession was lost too frequently to maintain pressure on the visitors.

The second half saw Evesham start to win more second and third phase ball which led to more scoring opportunities.

Wingers James Maude and Simon Beard both had opportunities but it was a break from the latter which created a gap out wide for fly half Parsons to score a good team try.

Unfortunately, he then failed to convert the try leaving Evesham only five points. Two further penalty attempts failed as Evesham continued to attack. Replacement Jim Moulton looked to have added a second try but was adjudged offside.

In the closing minutes the Eve-sham defence was tested but it held out and in the last play of the game scrum half Chris Evis looked to have put centre Paul Turpitt in for a try only to be pulled back for a forward pass.

The game was sponsored by Christian Salvesen.

Evesham start their 2000/2001-league campaign at Bedworth on Saturday.

The mini and junior section restarts on Sunday at 10am. All existing and new players are invited to attend.

Contact Cath Robinson on 01386 881653.