Rugby union
First win for Alcester U16s

ALCESTER U16s recorded a much-needed and well deserved first win of the season as they defeated Woodrush 25-24 in greasy and muddy conditions at Kings Coughton on Sunday.

The hosts lent the visitors three players after the Wythall men had travelled short and Lewis Walker, Peter Isaac and Ben Woods all did themselves and their club proud by playing the game as it should be played for Woodrush in the first half.

Playing down the slope in the first half Alcester started brightest and, after missing two early try-scoring opportunities, they went ahead when prop Kyran Flynn tapped and went himself from a short range penalty before crashing over for the opening score.

In poor under-foot conditions for kicking, skipper Josh Godson brilliantly converted to give his side a 7-0 lead.

Soon afterwards Alcester lock Nick Rymsza picked up at the base and powered his way over despite having two defenders hanging off him.

Woodrush rallied and their pressure was rewarded with a converted try but this sprang the home side back into life and the home backs proceeded to play some of their best rugby of the season so far, which was all the more impressive in the less than conducive handling conditions.

Each member of the Alcester back line drew his man and sent his pass on, which allowed left wing Dom Evans the opportunity to round his man to score, but there was still time in the half for Woodrush to score again, which left the half time score 17-12 to Alcester.

Alcester brought back the three players they had lent the visitors and replaced them with Flynn, Ed Johnson and Matt Bott to allow all of the home squad some time in a red and black shirt.

Flynn and Johnson in particular seemed to be galvanised by their time in green and white and their second half performances were a little too good for comfort for the home coaching team as the game entered its tight and nervy final stages.

Before then, Alcester had extended their lead with a well taken try by centre Fred Badham after some good thinking by the Godson brothers at half backs.

In the closing stages the big Woodrush forwards piled on the pressure and Badham and his fellow centre Alex Chiles were forced into some brave tackles to keep their opponents out but eventually Woodrush scored two quickfire tries to take a 24-22 lead.

Alcester were perhaps then rueing their hospitality in lending players as it looked like the visitors might claim an unlikely win, but up stepped captain and man of the match Josh Godson to kick the winning points with a penalty ten minutes from time.

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