The day after the night before......

1977, Queen's Jubilee Year, picture a 6 year old JB stood beside the East Lancs road (A580 Liverpool to Manchester), enthusiastically waving a small Union Flag with the best of them as our nation’s monarch is cheered along. Now 39 years on, the arrival of Mrs Gilderson for her annual troop inspection instilled that same sense of occasion…I am sure I saw Jenny Bond interviewing onlookers. Welcome back Your Gildership. Now, where’d I put my flag ?

One or two dads looking shakier than usual on a Sunday morning but we have beautiful sunshine, Hereford and Malvern along, Evesham lads keen to play with a beautiful new match ball (thanks Mr Roberts) and some ales left in the beer tent from last night, lords knows how. Let’s get going.

Game 1 – Malvern

Starting Lineup: 1.Dick Tracey, 2.Indy, 3.Smiffy, 4.BTM, 5.Bretty, 9.Maximus, 10.Rocky, 11.Hoaresome, 12.Gazelle-derson, 13.Hagrid, 14.Doobs and 15.Slippery
Fresh Legs: Swing Lowe, Ears Pearce, Billy Graham, Minimoys, Mighty Mullen, Overalls, Gentlemen George

Solid work by the forwards and flowing passing in the backs, Malvern defended valiantly as Evesham moved the point of attack letting the ball do the work. Gazelle-derson combined well with Hagrid and Hoaresome to create space to beat the defenders, Slippery solid at the back and joining the attacking line at will. A Malvern try came from an intercepted pass and he was away on his toes and never going to be caught.

Olly Wycherley continued to find new and creative ways to injure himself in the second half, knees and nose already done this season, todays target was wrist, sprained not broken according to the Xray, Olly disputed the Doc's 7 years at medical school but was sent home with some man-up pills. Mrs Wycherley will be fined for Prosecco avoidance. Get well soon Olly.

Try scoring shared between Cross, Gilderson and Aris. Backs scoring off forwards secured ball, all is well in the world.

Final Score Evesham 9 : Malvern 1

Game 2 – Hereford

Hereford were up for a rumble, I remember that from last time, Evesham forwards grew into the job and Gazelle-derson was like a greyhound on Redbull. Evesham defended well, mostly, a few holes were exploited allowing Hereford 5 tries over the 2 halves.

Half way through the Hereford game, a clearance kick came high into the crowd heading straight for Geraint. Pay attention lads, masterclass coming, you usually have to be sat in a stadium to watch this sort of thing. Geraint put a name on it early to avoid confusion, angled his body slightly past 90 degrees to the direction of play, eyes never leaving the ball, hands raising to scoop it into the old breadbasket and as the lads admired the catlike agility when G left the ground to meet the ball…… he dropped it. We won’t speak of this again. Much.

Try Scorers Cross, Gilderson, Lowe, Hoare and Smiffy - again mostly backs plus a couple of forwards running a support line. Happy with that.

Final Score Evesham 10 : Hereford 5

Man of the Match (and a pretend trophy because SOMEONE forgot it): For giving the team forward momentum, Hamish Cross
Aimee’s award for the most impressive tackle: Will Brett for some solid defensive effort in the midfield
What a Wanger: Retaining his title for the second, possibly third year in a row, the beer festival welly wanging champion was Tom Merrall. Again. Good team work sharing the sweets out Tom.

Good to see injured players down to support the lads, Rhino, Fin and Jack Witherford (second victim of a skate park this season alone) and also Serge back in Evesham colours for a gradual return to play.

Training on Wednesday from 6:00 at ERFC.