Rugby union
Evesham leave it late to maintain perfect start

Buy photos » Evesham prop Kerren Lippett carries good ball. Picture by Roland Bailey. (s)

Woodrush 28 Evesham 32

Midlands Three West (South)

EVESHAM maintained their 100 per cent start to the season and ended that of their hosts as they won an exciting contest at Icknield Street on Saturday.

After close early exchanges good work from the back row of Webb, Garrett and Dziczkaniece gave good field position and the ball was spun to Carl Robinson who coolly slotted over a drop goal to give Evesham a 3-0 lead.

Woodrush responded quickly and, although Evesham held firm for long periods, they found themselves stretched and the hosts' winger James Evans went over in the corner for an unconverted try.

The end to end action continued and a solid scrummage led by the front row of Greatrix, Lippett and Stock gave a good platform for Garrett to link with Diston who kicked through and found Stef Lasota to touch down and put the visitors ahead again at 8-5.

However, Evesham took their foot off the gas and good forward pressure from Woodrush led to a bundled converted score in the corner from second row Luke Russell and fly half Steve Smart also crossed the whitewash as the hosts built a 22-8 lead by the break.

The second half began well for Evesham though with the likes of Corbett and Huckvale gaining territory and this was rewarded as Corbett burst through the centres and, after a quick one-two with Dziczkaniece, he raced away to score under the posts and Diston converted.

Evesham continued their onslaught and good lineout work from the Smart brothers in the second row gave great field position for Corbett to take it blind and kick inside for Robinson to dive over and reduce their arrears to 22-20.

Smart nudged Woodrush further ahead with a penalty but once again there was a response and the solid centre partnership of Bowen and Robinson made ground and it was the latter who offloaded to Darren Hunter - returning from a lengthy lay-off - to cut a line and touch down under the posts for Diston to convert and give the visitors a 27-25 lead.

Evesham's concentration lapsed and from the kick-off a penalty was awarded which Smart duly converted to give them a one-point lead with just a few minutes remaining.

After reclaiming possession from the kick-off, Evesham played the phases, earning penalty opportunities just pushed wide by Diston.

However, a monumental forward effort gave an opportunity for Hunter to call a kick over the top which he chased emphatically for a dramatic late score which sealed victory.

Evesham will look to make it four league wins from four tomorrow when they travel to Ledbury.

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