Red-hot Pershore in bonus victory (From Cotswold Journal)

Red-hot Pershore in bonus victory

2:00pm Thursday 17th January 2013 in Sport

RUGBY finally returned to Wyre Piddle after the rain as Pershore brushed aside Old Wheatleyans 39-10 in Midlands Three West (South).

The try scoring bonus point was sealed within 30 minutes when Pershore, who made it 11 wins in a row, ran in five first half-tries without being put under any pressure.

Their forwards were industrious throughout, dominating the scrum and tackle but being less convincing in the line-out where the Coventry visitors disrupted the hosts’ ball.

Although the conditions were not good underfoot, Pershore tried to play an expansive game and opened the scoring through skipper Ben Humphries with the conversion missed.

Centre Dan Goodlad added a second before winger Ashley White finished off a move straight from the kick-off. Scott Williams caught the ball and the home forwards drove a maul 30 metres upfield.

Alex Peel then spotted a gap in the struggling defence and the ball found White who outpaced the defence to score.

Fly-half Tommy Hayes added the bonus-point try with a fine individual effort and Lewis Dolphin added the conversion after taking over the kicking duties.

Goodlad bagged his second try just before half-time.

Old Wheats started the secondhalf well and, with the strong wind in their favour, pinned Pershore near their line.

Stout, uncompromising defence kept the visitors out but the referee lost patience with the home side’s tactics and sinbinned Peel for killing the ball at a ruck.

The whitewash was soon crossed as Old Wheats scored.

Pershore used the strong running of Martin Hope and Rich Baker in midfield to get into the opposing half. Dolphin scored a converted try under the posts.

Luke Hardiman added a final try with 10 minutes left as Pershore’s stranglehold on the game tightened although Old Wheats had the final say with a last-minute effort.

Pershore, seven points below second-placed Old Leamingtonians with a game in hand, head to Cheltenham North on Saturday (2.15pm).