A 34-7 defeat at Old Laurentians saw Evesham Rugby Club drop to fourth from bottom in Midlands Two West (South).

With several regular first-team players out of action Evesham were stretched from the start.

However, the second XV players who stepped up put in a combative performance, staying in touch for the first 70 minutes.

The home side led 10-0 at the interval and a breakaway try for Evesham’s Jack Jeffery, converted by Mike Diston, gave the visitors a glimmer of hope at 17-7.

But fifth-placed Laurentians cut loose in the last 10 minutes, scoring three tries to secure the game.

After four consecutive away games Evesham look forward to a home game against Pinley on Saturday (2.15pm).

Eighth-placed Pershore beat county rivals Tenbury 21-5 in Midlands Four West (South) to move within two points of their opponents.

They visit lowly Birmingham Civil Service on Saturday.

Bredon Star lost 32-7 at Norton in Gloucestershire Two North ahead of Saturday's game at Painswick.