“THE best performance for a couple of years” was how Evesham RFC head coach Gary Diston described his side’s 24-5 win over Old Leamingtonians, and hopes for more of the same on Saturday in Midlands Three West (South).

The youthful Lower Albert Road side travel to Old Yardleians on Saturday (ko 2.15pm) after storming to a home victory against the fifth-placed Warwickshire side.

Diston hailed his youthful charges for their triumph which put them eighth in the table on 14 points from seven games, two places and just one point behind Saturday’s opponents.

Fly-half Mike Diston (back) joins long-term absentees, hooker Luke Matthews (ruptured calf muscle) and Tom Johnson (broken collarbone) on the treatment table.

Former player James Protheroe has also joined the club as forwards coach after a spell at Droitwich.

The head coach said: “It was the best performance we’ve put in for a couple of years.

“They really stepped up on Saturday. The young back-line had not played together before the season started, they are getting there now.

“Everybody is beating everybody in this league this year, but Upton have gone away with it.

“Old Leamingtonians were really trying to get stuck into us. But we shut them down and still played our own game.

“We played as a complete team, both the forwards and backs put in shifts. It was a great performance.

“Old Yardleians have had quite a few bonus points already this season, but we haven’t had any yet. It will be a good test on Saturday.

“The teams we have lost away to so far this season are at the top of the league now. Yardleians are known as being a big scrummage side, who are tough to beat up front.

“Mid-table is a realistic target for us still this season.”