PERSHORE’S 50-19 defeat at Newboldon- Avon showed the difference between the top and bottom of the Midlands Two West (South) table.

Both clubs have their injury problems but second-placed Newbold were confident and clinical.

Pershore, although tireless workers, panicked and seemed to make the wrong decisions at key point-scoring opportunities.

It was always going to be tough for the visitors, who were 17-0 down within the first 10 minutes, but they then managed to impose themselves on the game.

Martin Hope and Steve Holmes carried the ball well, while brothers Josh and Luke Hardiman ensured Pershore won their fair share of line-out ball.

After one of Hope’s trademark runs, winger Matt Harwood capitalised to score in the corner but Matt Cyphus missed the conversion.

Pershore came close to adding a second just before half-time after centre Adrian Hanson took a quick penalty near his own line. They attacked through Richard Baker and Josh Hardiman but Hope came up just short.

The second-half started like the first with Newbold scoring three quick unanswered tries.

At 38-5, the game was won for the hosts but Pershore carried on and the industrious Ben Yeates in the second row continued to work hard.

Pershore were rewarded through Hope’s try from the base of the scrum and replacement fly-half Lewis Dolphin converted.

With 10 minutes remaining, Newbold extended their lead with two quick tries but Ben Humphries crashed over late on with Dolphin converting again.