EVESHAM missed the chance to rise above visitors Dudley Kingswinford to second in the North Midlands Colts League.

The Black Country side came away with a 3-0 victory on a windswept day in a lowscoring war of attrition marred by injury.

Ambulances were called for two Evesham players as first Jack Witts suffered a dislocated ankle and then James Bishop snapped ligaments in his foot. It is likely Witts will be out for the rest of the season.

The conditions led to a tough game with both packs trying to drive the ball forward.

But Evesham lacked composure to build up through the phases and turned over too much ball to apply enough pressure.

They did not create a clearcut try-scoring opportunity although player-of-the-match Ash Icke was their biggest threat with strong runs.

The only other attacking highlight was a good exchange of passes between Dom Berry and Jay Hann down the right wing in the second-half.

In defence, Evesham tackled well and showed good resolve and organisation to restrict the visitors to only three points through a penalty 15 minutes from time.

Berry, James Williamson, Connor Greatrix, Adam Johnson, Fred Hopper and Josh Perry all put in good hits.

In the backs, Icke, Mike Harris, Wilf Watson, Josh Sands and Scott Fairfax also put their bodies on the line for their side.

But Evesham need to find their cutting edge and control discipline with the loss of yards for dissent, culminating in a yellow card, not helping.

Meanwhile, Evesham under 15s suffered their first home loss of the season, 12-5 to a strong Worcester side.

But every home player stood up and was counted as they took the game to Worcester with courage.

Driven on by player-of-thematch, hooker Will Farrell, the forwards were heroic in ruck, maul and scrum.

Lewis Cochrane, James Thompson and Marcus Harris ripped, spoiled, tackled and created confusion in the minds of the visitors.

At half-time, Evesham led 5-0 through Jack Richardson’s ninth try of the campaign.

But, 10 minutes into the second period, Worcester pressure paid off with a try under the posts. Evesham fought back only to be denied by the line but, when counter- attacks came, Connor Armento, Jonny Deakin and George Guy nailed their tackles.

However, five minutes from time, the visitors scored their second try.