WILF Watson’s brace of tries led Evesham Rugby Club to an emphatic 36-5 win at Stoke Old Boys in Midlands Four West (South).

Kicker Mike Harris also hit top form for Evesham with three successful conversions and two well-struck penalties.

Relegated Evesham are now joint second in the lower division after two wins from their opening three matches.

Club spokesman Ian Stoddart said Evesham’s win was well deserved, stating: “After a very slow, tight start, Evesham’s backs were able to cut loose.

“Mike’s boot was fantastic and he slotted exceptional conversions from the touchline and penalties from near the half-way line.”

Added to the efforts of Watson and Harris, Joe Cafearo, Mike Diston and Sam Huckvale also crossed the whitewash for Evesham as Stoke suffered a first defeat of the season.

The Vale side are four points adrift of leaders Rugby Lions and level with Kings Norton and Stoke.

They host a Midlands Junior Vase first round tie against Hereford-based Greyhound on Saturday (2.30pm).

Meanwhile, Pershore performed a quick return to winning ways by beating Old Wheatleyans 24-14 in Midlands Three West (South).

Both teams started brightly but Pershore’s dominance in the scrum was a defining factor.

Forwards Carl Redman, Luke Hardiman, Alex Peel, Rob Rich and Lee Synnuck excelled.

Peel crashed over for the first try after good backs build-up play. Wheats countered with a try from a Pershore over-throw at their own five-metre line-out.

But the hosts’ Tommy Hayes then touched down with Lewis Dolphin converting to establish a 12-7 lead.

Damo May replaced Synnuck at half-time and Pershore continued to dominate up front.

They extended their lead further with May crashing over from close range and Dolphin adding the extras.

Pershore’s backs, marshalled by Hayes and AJ Hanson, defended well. But a rare error from Hanson allowed the Wheats a converted try.

However, fifth-placed Pershore got a deserved bonus-point win late on when Ash White touched down in the corner.

Pershore host Handsworth in the Midlands Senior Vase first round on Saturday (3pm).

Bredon Star lost 22-21 at home to Chipping Sodbury in Gloucester Division One.