Evesham 8, Leamington 22

AFTER the better results of recent weeks, it was a great disappointment for Evesham to lose at home to Leamington in a game they could have won.

The visitors started impressively but it was Evesham that took an early lead with a penalty from Phil Parsons.

This spurred Leamington to greater efforts and, following a succession of rucks, the ball was moved wide to score an unconverted try.

Almost immediately the visitors scored again but this time Evesham players stopped for what they thought was a knock-on only to see the referee wave play-on.

Trailing 10-3, Evesham were producing some driving play but they couldn't string together enough phases of play to keep Leamington under concerted pressure.

Scrum half Chris Evis snaffled up a loose pass but was caught in a long run to the try line. Shortly after this Leamington scored their third unconverted try to lead 15-3 at the interval.

Turning round with the elements in their favour Evesham controlled the game for long periods without reward.

Injuries to Duncan and Brotherton meant reshuffles up front but Evesham maintained their concentration and they were unlucky to be stopped short of the line on several occasions.

Winger Lloyd Jiles sliced open the defence only to see his pass hit the shins of supporting flanker Jeff Howkins. However, the pressure finally told on the visitors when full back Pat Johnson cut through their defences before being held up just short of the posts.

PL:49turp.jpg:Looking for a gap: Evesham's Paul Turpitt sets off on a run to the try line

Flanker Wayne Brotherton, though, was on hand to secure the ball and feed out to centre Paul Turpitt who drifted across before feeding winger James Maude to score in the corner.

Parsons failed with the conversion attempt from touchline to leave Evesham trailing by seven points.

They attacked again but, in the last minute, Leamington broke out from their own 22. A scrum later and some poor tackling from the home side saw the visitors score with the last play of the game.

The game was sponsored by GMS Limited.

Evesham's scheduled North Midlands Cup match has been postponed and so a pool fixture will be arranged for Saturday.