To Piddle Park, by invitation

With Ed still tending bar on Fantasy Island, Simon behind monocle and cravat watching Rupert Rugby at Hogwarts and Tim (the only one of us with a proper job) on call, it was left to JB to take one squad to Pershore and 20 to run training for the rest in the Evesham mud where a pitch used to be.

Pershore are a bit light on numbers at this age group and needed a loan player, initial calls for a volunteer were met with a detailed fascination in boots and playing surface but George swiftly came forward and was instantly welcomed by smiles from Pershore, a black and red shirt and the guarantee of a full game.

First Half
Playing Squad: Tom D, Indie, 'Smiffy', 'Jack Russell' (Captain), Joel, 'Ears' Pearce on left wing and in borrowed everything and making his debut, Fin on right wing. Super Sub: Mighty Mullen was like a junk yard dog on a chain, keen to get involved. I suspect a recent change in breakfast cereal at Mullen HQ.

First 5 minutes were all Smiffy with 4 tries, all from direct running, a big unit is Smiffy and takes some stopping. Pershore then settled into the task and organised defence to halt the assault. From a free pass right on Evesham's own line, Tom D received and ran the length of the pitch (and almost out the end) for a try.

We could hold Mighty Mullen back no longer, on and immediately involved, before you could say 'Go Will' he was away and over the line, second try in 3 games. Smiffy then crossed the line for one more.

Evesham got the ball out to the right wing and new boy Fin, this should be interesting having seen him run at football. Not the lumpiest, Fin admits he could hide behind the corner flag, but equally he could overtake a scolded cat to get there, this pace is a valuable asset, after all the best way to deal with a big tackle is to not still be there when it happens. Fin took off down the right side, evaded at least 3 tackles and showed plenty of gas to cross the line for his first try in the first half of his first game.

Matt 'Ears' Pearce put in a huge tackle along the touchline, great to see.

Pershore had scored one along the way before half time, time to regroup, rehydrate and restart.

Second Half
Playing squad: no change, George confirmed he was happy to continue with his new mates from downstream (the river flows that way, right ?).

Stronger start to the second half by Pershore, they answered Smiffy's early try with 2 of their own, George Tinson tackling well in unfamiliar colours.

Tries for Jack Russell then Joel from a great support run. Couple of injuries for Pershore so we dropped to 5v5 until the magic sponge kicked in, we were treated to a second from Fin again on his toes, Joel touched down from a long run, Smiffy from a long run, Fin through for his third but just denied by a great try saving tackle from Pershore and on the final whistle Indie crossed the line with a highly theatrical swan dive worthy of a heinous fine when I dream one up.

In this half Fin had put in a great tackle with the shoulder having proved to himself that fingertips don’t work, Joel proved he is a farmers boy by making some big stops man and ball, Jack Russell great work at scrum half and Tom D strong at the breakdown.

Full credit to the Pershore lads who kept playing for the full 40 minutes, a big tick for the team spirit that Ben is building and great to see, I think everyone benefited from the game time and experience, I know the Evesham players took a lot from it. Credit also to George Tinson for some of the best defensive rugby I have seen him play.

Man of the Match: Toughest decision of the day, more strenuous than the earlier ketchup or brown, plenty of contenders today but for a debut performance of 2 tries, almost a third and first proper tackle, it had to be Fin. Well done Fin, welcome to the squad.

Thanks to 'Pershore Ben' for the hospitality and for excellent refereeing despite the tumbling apologies in advance.

Next week: Hereford at home.