Old Covs 39pts,

Evesham 17

ADVERSE to most of this season's previous league matches, Saturday's produced plenty of points but, unfortunately for Evesham, the hosts scored the biggest portion!

The visitors started the match to good effect, winning most possession through the line-out and running the ball with the backs. This strategy kept the play away from the dominant Covs forwards enabling Eve-sham to play to their strengths.

The first score came from a fairly aimless kick from a home side's fly-half apparently attempting to kick long to the corner from open play.

Doug Payne was quite happy to field the ball and then out pace his opposing winger to score under the posts. Taylor converted.

Covs replied to this keeping their possession tight and using forward attacks to push Evesham back. A line-out on Evesham's 22 initiated a succession of rucks terminated by the Old Covs' flanker breaking and diving in the corner for a well-taken try.

Evesham hit back again through their backs this time on the opposite flank through winger Gary Diston. The play was directed up the left wing, where the ball was fed to the open backs. Good handling left Diston to beat his man and score in the corner.

Covs regained the initiative again working their way back through forward phases of play and then switching to the backs. The centre found a gap in the middle and charged through for a 12-10 interval lead.

Following the restart the match took a dramatic change in direction. Old Covs are obviously good learners as they changed their game strategy - keeping the ball away from Evesham and tight to their dominant forwards.

As opposed to last week's match against Pershore where a massive defensive effort won the day, Evesham must have worn themselves out as four home tries in quick succession left the visitors in a state of shock and disbelief.

A slick scissors move involving Payne gave the winger his second try and reduced the deficit slightly but the damage had been done.