Keresley 18pts, Evesham 0

EVESHAM suffered a disappointing defeat at Keresley on Saturday in their fifth league game of the season.

The score, in truth, did not reflect the play with the Keresley points in the main being scored in a ten-minute period midway through the first half. Both resulted from Eve-sham errors and so made the result all the more painful.

The hosts took an early lead through a penalty and then Evesham almost struck back immediately with a long-range penalty attempt from Phil Parsons, which unfortunately drifted just wide of the posts.

Keresley, without a league win this term, had two further failed penalty attempts before they opened the scoring.

Awarded a scrum in the Evesham 22 for an adjudged knock-on, the Keresley No 8 battered his way to the line and then slipped a pass to his team mate who bulldozed over.

Shortly after this try, a missed tackle in midfield left the home side away and clear to score a second breakaway try. Sudd-enly, after performing reasonably well Evesham found them- selves 15 points down.

During the first period they did challenge the home line but prop Chris Maritza well held up just short and flanker Ben Whatmore got the same result minutes later.

Evesham started the second half with a couple of changes. Jeff Howkins entered the fray and an injured Ian Hurley left the field to be replaced by Tom Archer.

Evesham attacked strongly and again Maritza received a welcoming committee of defenders on his next drive to the line.

A lack of cohesion, though, was costing Evesham dear and the absence of good second phase play made it a difficult task for scrum half Gary Diston to drive his forwards with any purpose.

He did create a half chance for centre Pat Johnson but the pass just didn't go to hand in a try scoring position later in the half.

Late on, Ian Stoddart replaced Mick Hodges at tight head, the latter having given a typically robust performance.

Keresley ended the game by kicking a penalty to complete the scoring but Evesham will look back on this game as "one that got away".

Evesham travel to Oxford Harlequins on Saturday for a non-league fixture.