Rugby union: Evans lead way as Castle open Vase campaign with a win

    RONAN Evans bagged two first-half tries to help steer NEWCASTLE to a 24-8 home win over Coventry-based Pinley in the first round of the Midland Senior Vase.

    Newcastle were trailing to an unconverted try when Evans benefited from a strong Sam Evans run to open his side's account.

1. DOUBLE JOY: Ronan Evans scored two tries for Newcastle in their Senior Vase success over Pinley to reach the second round.
   
   
        Telling Newcastle pressure then led to a turnover and a swift movement of the ball for Evans to go over for a second time to establish a 14-5 half-time lead.
   
       Strong defensive play and several infringements characterised the second period before Dan Mullyneux scored from an attacking line-out with five minutes remaining.
   
   
   
        Evans converted and added a penalty in the time remaining to confirm Newcastle's predominance.
   
      LINLEY & KIDSGROVE conceded 67 unanswered points in the second half of their crushing 79-8 defeat at Prenton in South Lancs/Cheshire Three.
   Boosted by victory over Congleton the week before, Linley paid a high price for several late cry-offs before their trip to Merseyside.
   
      They more than kept pace during a first half in which their early attacking play was rewarded with an Andy Timperley try.
   Matt Swingewood also kicked a penalty as Linley went in at half-time trailing by just 12-8.
   
       What a different story in the second half, however, as Linley's young and untried team ran out of gas to concede that avalanche of points.