Redditch 13pts, Evesham 5

EVESHAM suffered a defeat at the hands of local rivals at Redditch on Saturday in a game which ended in farcical conditions.

Playing down the slope, Evesham dominated the first 20 minutes but failed to take their scoring opportunities.

Poor handling at vital moments and Redditch's spoiling tactics in the loose meant that it was a surprise to see the home side take the lead with a breakaway try.

A shocked Evesham side responded quickly and should have drawn level when winger Lloyd Jiles was stopped just short of the line but the recycled ball was again spoilt by a Redditch hand.

Minutes later full back Pat Johnson scored a try as he joined the line at pace to score in the corner.

This should have been the start of the scoring onslaught but Evesham's lack of second phase possession meant the half had no flow or pattern.

The second half started better for Evesham and they started to make inroads into a robust Redditch defence.

However, Evesham's play was not to the referee's liking as he started to penalise them heavily.

In spite of this, Evesham created try scoring opportunities for both Jiles and fellow winger Rick Taylor, but both came to nothing.

Eventually, Evesham scored a when scrum half Gary Diston broke blind off a scrum to score what looked to be a good try.

However, an unsighted referee disallowed the score and then sin-binned Diston as he rucked for a ball under the home side's posts as Evesham were certain to score.

The Redditch player lying on the ball was adjudged to have been treated too roughly and the home side escaped again.

Penalties came thick and fast against Evesham from this point on including one for feeding when neither side hooked the ball in a scrum five yards from the home side's line.

Second row Neil McVea then found himself sin-binned for rucking, followed by centre Paul Turpitt for unprovoked retaliation.

The second penalty was converted by the home side and then another shortly afterwards following yet another penalty award.

Playing with 12 men, Evesham kept out the home side for the rest of the half which ended in farce with neither side sure of who would be the next casualty of the yellow card.

Evesham return to league duty at Keresley on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.