SKIPPER Nathan Chambers saluted Evesham Rugby Club’s defensive qualities after they pipped Cleobury Mortimer 10-9 to lift the North Midlands Vase.

A try from centre Matthew Watson and five points from the boot of Mike Harris gave Evesham a second Vase triumph in six years.

They played for 20 minutes of the second-half with just 14 men and Chambers said his players showed tremendous character in the final at Dudley Kingswinford.

The success avenged Evesham’s 27-3 defeat to Cleobury in the Midlands Junior Vase semi-final in February.

It also rounded off a successful campaign for Chambers’ men, who clinched promotion from Midlands Four West (South).

Chambers said: “Despite being down to 14 men for the final 20 minutes, our defence remained secure.

“With Cleobury throwing caution to the wind, they pressed out wide in the final stages but great cover defence forced them to knock on and the game was up for Cleobury.”

Evesham had prepared for a tough test and, after winning the toss, decided to receive the kick-off and play uphill.

The Vale outfit made a fine start when an early clearance kick from Harris was not gathered and Mike Diston broke free.

The covering defence caught Diston but he found centre partner Watson with an offload to race under the posts for the opening score and Harris converted after five minutes.

Evesham pressed hard and, with their back-line looking dangerous, exploited gaps and made metres.

They were buoyed when Cleobury were reduced to 14 men after an incident at a ruck and Harris kicked the penalty to stretch their lead to 10-0.

Despite looking inventive, Evesham could not add further points and Cleobury’s penalty cut the deficit to 10-3 at half-time.

Evesham were keen to disrupt Cleobury’s platform up-front and cause havoc in the backs in the second period.

As the wind picked up, neither team capitalised on penalties and Cleobury managed just six points in the second-half as their comeback bid fell short.

A delighted Chambers added: “The determination, work-rate and commitment from the Evesham players could not have been better.

“The entire matchday squad of 22 players put everything into keeping out Cleobury.”