DEPLETED Alcester could not build on the previous weekend’s first win of the campaign as they had to settle for a losing bonus point in going down 10-3 at Coventry Welsh in Saturday’s Midlands Three West (South) contest.
The visitors took the lead in very muddy conditions in Holbrooks when fly half Ed Gough stroked over a penalty for Alcester’s only points of the game, as he was wide with two other penalty attempts.
However, with no fewer than seven changes to the side which defeated Burbage, Alcester slipped to a disappointing defeat in a game of few chances.
Their best opportunity came through a break from Neil Goodrich which went deep into Welsh territory before he was tackled.
The home side evened the scores with a penalty of their own and scored the only try of the game in the second half when they forced an overlap out wide to score which was converted.
Flanker Jamie Clarke, making a welcome return to league action, was named as the visitors’ man of the match.
Ninth-placed Alcester are hoping to climb the table when Ledbury visit Kings Coughton on November 9.
ALCESTER’S 2nd XV had a more enjoyable afternoon as they racked up more than half a century of points in defeating Coventry Saracens 55-0.
Veteran Scott Carmichael put his side in front before Josh O’Connor soon added a second score.
Glyn Smith was next to cross the whitewash and then was quick to run in his second try from the halfway line and secure Alcester’s bonus point.
Scott McGee’s pace out wide set up Chris Howell for the home side’s fifth try and Alcester went into the break with a healthy 29-0 lead as Howell added two first half conversions.
Smith made a great break in the opening minutes of the second half which fed Carmichael for his second try. A new kicker, Ollie Clarke, was successful in adding the extra points.
Smith continued his fine form in making another break to set up O’Connor for his second of the game, before Howell took back kicking duties and slotted over the conversion.
Clarke was next to score as part of Alcester’s dominant performance before O’Connor sealed the game with his hat-trick try demonstrating his strength after handing-off the defence on his way to the line. Paul Taylor converted.
