Evesham RFC missed their chance to take a big step towards winning the league last weekend as they were beaten by title rivals Nuneaton Old Edwardians in a thrilling 40-31 defeat.

Evesham have played a game less but now are six points behind Eds and with three games to play, they now have to hope Eds drop points in their final two matches and ensure they take maximum points from their fixtures to topple them.

The early exchanges did little to show this would turn out to be a humdinger of a high-scoring game and it was 15 minutes before Eds opened the scoring through Ryan Singh.

Eds were looking dominant and Evesham defending well before they managed to mount an attack that led to their first score from hooker Josh Greatrix

Two tries in quick succession for the hosts saw them open up a 19-5 lead at the break and left Evesham reeling.

But the visitors roared back at the start of the second half and Greatrix got his second try shortly after Eds full-back Jake Holder was yellow carded.

A man up, Wilf Watson crossed and the conversion was added to bring the game to 19-17.

It was a topsy turvy contest and it once again swung back in the favour of Eds as front-row replacement Joe Donnelly rumbled over.

Evesham responded quickly when Jamie Smith scored the bonus-point try but Donnelly got his second to make it 31-24.

Two penalties from Brad Darlaston and a Tom Barkes drop goal looked to have won the game but Kieran Court scored a fifth Evesham try to keep it interesting but the hosts eventually held on.

Evesham had no game last weekend due to Old Coventrians not being able to fulfil the fixture so Evesham did get the five point win.

They are six points behind Eds with two games to play but do have a game in hand, so it is not quite all over yet but with Eds having one match to go (home to Leamington on April 23), they need to drop points if Evesham are to win the title.

They play Earlsdon this Saturday (April 16) and then finish the 2021/22 campaign at Old Laurentians.