Ledbury continued their fine start to the season with a 24-7 win over Evesham.

Playing their first home league match of the season, Ledbury fought hard in the 30 C heat and followed up their 49-0 win at Droitwich the previous weekend with another victory.

The early exchanges on Saturday (September 9) saw both sides probing with some great attacks and it was Ledbury who drew first blood.

From a set scrum 10 metres out, Iolo Bubb broke clear to find Ed Bennion, who crashed over in the corner. Jamie Rayfield converted from the touchline.

Ledbury continued to build great pressure, but were let down by poor finishing and a line out that was creaking badly.

The home side were also getting on the wrong side of the referee, who was awarding numerous penalties in favour of Evesham and it was only a matter of time that a yellow card was coming Ledbury’s way.

Just before half-time Evesham missed a long range penalty which saw Ledbury go into the break still 7-0 ahead.

The second half saw Cody Richardson-Wall yellow carded early on and with only 14 men, Ledbury conceded a penalty try after a huge Evesham driving maul, which was collapsed by the home side to pull the scores level.

This woke up Ledbury and they began a great period of pressure, camping in the Evesham 22.

After several phases the ball was fizzed out to the backs and Arron Almond was in place to smash his way through the tackles and run in a try between the posts, converted again by Rayfield.

A further yellow card for Jock Welch saw uncontested scrums for a while, but thankfully the Ledbury line out was functioning better. When contested scrums were briefly restored, Ledbury were on top. 

Despite the heat, Ledbury went on the hunt again and Arron Almond nearly scored once more. Skipper Harry Harris crashed over from a quickly taken tap penalty, which Rayfield again converted.

Evesham still threatened and it was only some robust tackling that kept them out but from a further Ledbury penalty they added three to their tally. 

The last five minutes saw Ledbury gather themselves to launch a final assault, eager to gain the bonus point for four tries. The home crowd were duly delighted when Ed Bennion broke clear to put Ed Mason clear and into space.

He was brought down on the 22, but the final play saw Ledbury regroup and put Cam Smith over in the corner for a try.

Ledbury take on Bromsgrove II away next week.