RUGBY UNION
Upton-on-Severn 0 Alcester 33
Midlands Three West (South)
ALCESTER maintained their momentum with a second successive whitewash victory to move into the top six on Saturday.
The Kings Coughton side’s sixth win of the league season leaves them just six points behind leaders Old Coventrians at the halfway point of the campaign, which resumes on January 6 at bottom side Bromyard.
Injuries and unavailability meant changes were forced upon Alcester but it proved no obstacle as top try-scorer Jack Green added two more to his impressive tally for the season in the first quarter of the match.
Despite carrying an injury, Green was all but unstoppable and his tries were converted by Max Biltcliffe to give Alcester an early 14-0 lead.
Matt Ashby was the side’s top ball carrier and showed great individual strength, whilst winger Lewis Walker scored the third try of the game when he reacted fastest to a kick over the top.
Walker showed good footwork skills to kick the ball on further and then dive on the ball over the line for the best try of the match.
Before half time, Phil Birks, powered through for the bonus point try to give the Red & Blacks a 26-0 lead at the break.
Injuries forced Jack Green and youngster Josh Phillips off the pitch and allowed Lewis Hopkins, who has been playing well at scrum-half for the second team, to make his first team debut.
The hosts battled strongly in the second half but, despite their best efforts, they failed to break through the Alcester defence.
Full-back Frazer Jackson scored the only try of the half, converted by Biltcliffe – his fourth successful kick of the afternoon.
Flanker Matt Alderman was named man of the match after another non-stop performance in the back row.
ALCESTER 2nds produced a determined performance to hold off Birmingham outfit Dixonians and claim a 12-3 victory.
Dixonians were unbeaten in 15 games before Saturday and did not give up without a fight in the muddy conditions at Alcester.
The visitors took the lead with a penalty kick but Alcester pounced when Stuart Whitehead intercepted and ran the length of the pitch to score between the posts. Darren Turner converted.
Most of the second half was played in Dixonians’ attacking zone and time again they looked close to scoring, but Alcester’s defence somehow denied them.
Scott Carmichael showed skill and precision with his kicking all afternoon and he scored the last try of the game, taking a quick penalty tap to catch the defence offside and drop over the try-line.
The next action at Kings Coughton will be on Boxing Day when the annual Chairman’s versus President’s match kicks off at noon.
This year Alcester chairman Andy Flynn makes his latest comeback to captain his own invitational side against president Andy Miller’s XV, which will be skippered by club captain Jack Horton.
All friends old and new are welcome to watch and join the fun on what is always one of the highlights of the season at Kings Coughton.
The kitchen will be serving teas, coffees and breakfasts from around 10.30am, whilst the bar will be open shortly afterwards for those wanting more Christmas cheer.
