Evesham v Kings Norton match report

Kings lost this fixture by a 17 pt margin when they travelled to Evesham with a much changed team containing 3 sets of brothers, the visitors started well attacking Eves from the off gaining an immediate lead from a penalty as the home side strayed offside. Leon Rees, brother of Captain Shane slotting the ball through the uprights. Kings maintained the pressure for the next 10 mins before Eves finally cleared their lines with a long range clearance from which Kings conceded a similar penalty & the home side levelled. The remainder of the first half saw the evenly matched squads foraging for clear scoring opportunities mostly created by searching long range kicks, finally with a just 1 minute remaining, ineptitude behind the goal line by the visitors allowed Evesham to gather a poor clearance from the disarray caused & returned the ball with interest for an unconverted try in the RH corner.

Half time Evesham 8 pts v Kings Norton 3 pts.

The 2nd period began with Kings on the attack; however they were rocked back when having conceded a penalty on the half way line they watched Eves take the lead with a massive long range effort sailing through the posts after 7 minutes play. Kings then hit back 5 minutes later when full back Ben Manners fielded a long range clearance and raced downfield handing off tacklers at speed to score a solo effort in the right corner. Evesham gained in confidence but found it difficult to break down Kings defence until with just 15 mins remaining they finally managed to drive the ball over the line for a converted try. Kings replied with their forwards pressing hard again but they finally lost control at a maul, crucially fumbling the ball when a score was likely. Evesham now had their tails up and eventually scored a final converted try as their wing dived on to a loose ball kicked through Kings defence. The last 5 mins saw the visitors on the attack but Jack Manners’s race to the line was stopped with a dubious tackle & the game fizzled out without further incident.

Kings will lick their wounds & regroup before they return to league action in the New Year with a home derby against Redditch on Saturday January 10th KO 2.15.p.m.