RUGBY
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| Coventrians 15
Alcester 20 Midlands Division Four West (South) ALCESTER produced their best rugby of the season to recover from a 15-0 deficit to secure a memorable victory at the Black Pad. In recent seasons Coventrians have been one of Alcester’s bogey sides and it seemed it would be another difficult day after injuries to No 8 Phil Birks and fly-half Scott Carmichael. Coventrians edged ahead with a penalty just before half-time, and then added a try before a controversial award for a second try when few in the ground thought that the ball had actually been put down over the line. At 15-0 down Alcester could have folded but far from it, as the players saw as an injustice fired up the visitors further. The Red and Blacks fought back, when prop Jack Horton smashed over for his second try of the season, converted by Ben Hope. Shortly afterwards skipper and man of the match Jack Green ran an unstoppable line from his outside centre position to score Alcester’s second of the game, and when substitute Josh O’Connor kicked a long ball over the top, Alcester’s chasers forced a mistake from the home side gifting winger Ollie Morrison a try to put his team in the lead for the first time in the match. A penalty from a Hope soon after completed the scoring and finished off a fine away win. The King’s Coughton men have a break from league action next weekend and are due to visit Chaddersley Corbett from a friendly fixture. Alcester 2nd XV 12 Coventrians 2nds 17 Alcester’s second string narrowly lost out to their visitors, in a good quality second XV game at King’s Coughton, despite being 12-7 ahead at the break. Alcester were able to call on a full XV for the first time this season, mainly down to Director of Rugby Stu Whitehead’s efforts in cajoling players into pulling on the red and black shirt. Ironically it was the visitors who arrived short this week with only 13 players, but Alcester’s Toby Allen switched sides to even numbers up and had a very good game on the wing. A try from Whitehead, converted by Jimmy Watson, and a snaffled effort from Jamie Miller took full advantage to double his side’s try tally gave Alcester the interval lead but .two tries – the winner from a mess of a home lineout – gave Coventrians the win. For Alcester, Tommy Wright made a first start in their colours for several seasons and impressed with ball in hand, whilst at full back Will Silk was faultless in defence. Earlsdon Colts 5 Alcester Colts 21 Alcester recorded an impressive away win in Coventry, outscoring their hosts by three tries to one. Man of the match Cian Allen scored two, either side of James Bates’ try with Harry Adams converting all three scores. Alcester hosted their annual primary school’s tag rugby festival with seven local schools taking part, alongside an Alcester club side. Alcester’s St Nicholas school fielded two sides and both made it through their groups alongside Dunnington school and Stratford based St Gregory’s. The final was contested by St Nicholas and St Gregory’s with the Alcester side coming out on top to claim the trophy. |
