PRESSURE at the bottom of the table continued to build after Evesham could only claim a losing bonus point from a 32-25 home loss to Leamington.

Evesham started in fine style against their close rivals in a must-win Midlands Two West (South) clash.

Early tries from Alex Jackson and Josh Sands with Mike Diston adding a conversion and two penalty kicks saw the home side lead 18-5 after 30 minutes at a windswept Albert Road.

However, the visitors fought back well to reduce the deficit to a single point at the break.

The second half was a tense affair with both teams striving for victory.

Jackson touched down again for Evesham and Diston converted but it was not enough as Leamington edged the encounter.

The losing bonus point kept Evesham in ninth ahead of a tricky test at fourth-placed Nuneaton Old Edwardians on Saturday, March 23.

Second-from-bottom Bredon Star lost 52-0 at ninth-placed Old Elizabethans in Gloucestershire One.