Rugby union
Evesham enjoy bonus point victory

Buy photos » Evesham's Carl Robinson goes on the attack against Cheltenham North. Picture by Roland Bailey. (s)

Evesham 32 Cheltenham North 27

Midlands Three West (South)

EVESHAM earned a bonus point victory with an excellent performance against relegated Cheltenham North on Saturday to make it two wins from as many matches.

The game started brightly as the hosts secured the kick-off and spread the ball wide to the lightning quick Zac Reid who rounded his man and touched down out wide.

Cheltenham then responded with a ten-minute spell of pressure which was rewarded with a dubious try of their own.

Evesham managed to get out of their half and good work from Corbett, Huckvale and Robinson led to winger Reid leaving his man for dead and giving Evesham a 12-5 lead thanks to Diston's conversion.

Cheltenham responded again, however, by pinning Evesham back and after the hosts failed to clear their lines the opposition were awarded a penalty, taken quickly, which led to them going over to make it 12-10.

Just before half time Evesham were able to win a penalty after good work from the back row of Garrett, Shotton and Chambers led to a kick in front of the posts which Diston duly converted.

After going into the break ahead, Evesham looked to keep the pressure on and good defence - marshalled by the Smart brothers and young Josh Sands at scrum half - gave them good field position to mount their next attack.

Good forward phases led to slick hands from Garrett and Shotton to put Chambers through to beat the full back and score and Diston added the extras to extend the lead to 22-10.

Cheltenham then kicked deep and, after Lasota and Robinson combined, Reid was on hand to supply the pace and score his hat-trick try.

With a commanding lead, Evesham took their foot off the gas and two quickfire tries put Cheltenham back in the game at 27-20.

However, Evesham rallied and good work from backs and forwards alike led to forward hands sending over the Evesham tight head for a routine score.

Cheltenham managed to grab a consolation score which secured two bonus points but Evesham remain unbeaten and will seek to make it a hat-trick of league wins when they travel to Woodrush a week on Saturday.

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