A YOUTHFUL Evesham bowed out of the North Midlands Shield semi-final 34-19 at Birmingham-based Camp Hill.

The starting XV featured no fewer than 12 players under the age of 25 and with all but one of those having played in youth teams, the gritty performance was testament to the Avonside club's strength in depth.

The first half proved a baptism of fire for the rookies, trailing 24-0 at the interval but to their credit, Evesham outscored the hosts in the second half.

Those morale-boosting second-half points came through tries from Ashley Icke, Will Bugg (pictured) and Alexander Jackson with Mike Diston slotting away two conversions.

The first team returns to Midlands Two West (South) action on Saturday with a trip to fourth-placed Earlsdon (2.15).

Evesham's seconds won 22-19 at their Harborne counterparts on Saturday to lead Midlands Reserve League Division Three by six points with two games in hand courtesy of a record of 12 wins from 14 outings.