Pershore 36, Woodrush 15

WOODRUSH suffered their first defeat of the season in the Midlands Division Two Three West (South) on Saturday.

Pershore started the game with a focused and effective ten-man game and the wet weather conditions played into their hands as the visitors struggled to get their hands on the ball in the opening ten minutes.

Early dominance at the scrum resulted in a try after only five minutes for the home centre, and five minutes later after indiscipline by the visitors the home side unsurprisingly kicked for the corner five metres from the Woodrush line.

The catch and drive proved to be irresistible and with the extras being kicked Pershore were twelve deserved points to the good after only ten minutes.

Shell-shocked Woodrush responded well, enjoying a sustained period of possession and getting three points on the board through a penalty by Steve Smart.

Pershore scored a penalty back but Woodrush were working their way slowly but surely up the field into the Pershore 22 metre zone.

A catch and drive from the lineout resulted in a touchdown by Matt Playford, which was converted by Smart and as the match approached half-time the momentum was definitely with the away team.

The away side suffered a setback when Smart left the field shortly after when suffering a dead leg from an incomplete shoulder tackle by the home team, leaving the Rush with no recognised place kicker. Two missed penalties for the away side, which could have put them in front, went begging and half-time saw the game balanced at 15-10 to the hosts.

Woodrush started the second half with gusto but lost hooker Liam Wallace to a dislocated shoulder. After a the delay, Pershore bagged two tries to end the match as a contest. The loss of fly-half Ed Gardiner to an eye injury a few minutes later did little to assist Woodrush’s efforts.

Despite this, they stormed back and looked very strong in open play with Andy Warrilow touching down for his first try of the season.

But the last word came from the home team to wrap up a comprehensive victory and leave Woodrush with plenty to think about in advance of Saturday’s visit by leaders Dunlop.

Woodrush thanks the Pershore first responder medic for his superb work in dealing with the Wallace injury.