Youngsters impress as Avon Street men record a fine win

THE absence of several first team regulars led to a reshuffle in the pack and gave two promising youngsters, Craig Brotherton at flanker and Ben Holme on the wing, a chance to shine.

Evesham started the game positively with the forwards dominating up front and enabled the backs to press the hosts into some desperate defence.

The visitors had the opportunity to take the lead through a penalty but elected to run it, this back fired as Hales held firm and cleared their line.

Evesham were now made to defend but poor handling proved to be the home side's downfall.

It was going to take something special to break the deadlock, and it was Holme who provided it. Shown half a yard by his opposite number, the flying winger took it with ease, stood the full back up and touched down beneath the posts. Mike O'Loughlin slotted over the conversion.

The second try came through the courtesy of an interception try by another new face making a good impression, centre Luke Fishlock and O'Loughlin again added the extras.

These two tries were punctuated by a couple of home penalties to leave Evesham 14-6 to the good at the interval.

The Avon Street side then had to reshuffle the backs when Jim Bowen picked up a leg injury and fly-half Mo Parkinson entered the fray.

And, he nearly capitalised on another mistake only to be tackled just short of the line.

The visitors weren't to let the Midlands Four side off the hook and pounded at the try line until an overlap was created and full back Adam Huttlestone touched down for another converted try.

A similar position was soon created and centre O'Loughlin crashed over for a try that he converted himself.

This seemed to spur the home side into action as they spun the ball around at every opportunity and the game suddenly changed into a free running affair.

Indiscipline crept into Evesham's game as they conceded numerous penalties one of which bought Halesowen's first try.

They continued to press hard and were eventually rewarded on the stroke of full time with another unconverted try.