ALCESTER RFC completed a double over local rivals Woodrush for the first time in 27 years after securing an emphatic 43-27 win to end the season in style.
Dwayne Cruickshank, Christian Rushton, Lewis Walker, Alex Chiles, Jack Green and Louis Smith all crossed for Alcester as the club secured a fourth-place finish in the Midlands 3 West (South) table.
However, Alcester made a shaky start when they fell behind in the opening minutes before a penalty extended Woodrush’s lead.
The visitors responded when Cruickshank ran in to score with Ed Gough converting after some good hands in the pack.
And Alcester took the lead on 25 minutes when Rushton battled his way to the line with another well worked try with Gough’s conversion striking the post.
However, Woodrush went into the break with a one-point lead when they kicked a penalty on the stroke of half time after some sustained pressure on the Alcester line.
Alcester came out fighting in the second half when Walker crossed from their first attack after Mark Burrell sped clear down the far wing before offloading for the former to score.
The lead changed hands again when three successful penalties and a pick and drive score put Woodrush back in front only for the game to turn in Alcester’s favour.
Former Worcester player Matt Cox was sin binned for a high tackle on Alcester’s Jack Green which led to a penalty try being awarded before Chiles scored minutes later to put the visitors ahead.
And Alcester finished the game in style when Green crossed for a converted score from another Burrell pass before Smith grabbed their seventh try from Kyran Flynn’s offload with Gough superbly adding the extras from a difficult angle.
Walker finished as Alcester’s top try scorer with 13 tries with club captain Max Biltcliffe narrowly behind on 12 who will now step down from his role as captain.
