LOCAL rivals Pershore provided Evesham Rowing Club's men with their opening action of the season.

There were smiles all round at the finish after a weakened Eve-sham side earned a winning draw in what proved the inevitable closely fought contest.

Results: John Lomas & Ian Long won 7-5, 6-2, lost 6-1, 6-2. John Howard & Ray Foster Morr-ison won 6-3, 6-2, lost 6-2, 6-4. Simon Wall & Anatoli Phorsa won 6-1, 6-1, lost 6-3, 6-3.