Alcester finally get first win of season (From Redditch Advertiser)

Alcester finally get first win of season

6:00pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in Sport

Alcester 10, Keresley 6

ALCESTER claimed a first win of the season in the Midlands Division Four West (South) in a nervy bottom of the table encounter.

The home side has been struggling for selection consistency and were forced into making numerous changes, including their fifth fly-half of the campaign.

And it was the visitors who took in the lead in the early stages with a penalty after scrum-half Joe Sears strayed offside at a scrum.

The key moment of the game came in the 25th minute, when a move involving Phil Birks, Simon Gardner and Jack Green allowed Hadley Ravenhall to score a converted try.

Alcester created another opening moments after, but when Keresley cleared the danger before skipper Ben Hope was yellow carded for holding on at a ruck.

Moments later the visitors reduced the deficit to 7-6 with a penalty kick on the stroke of half-time.

With Hope still in the sin bin, the visitors forced another penalty shortly after the break, but the kicked was dragged wide.

The score-line remaining tight inside the final quarter of the game, the King’s Coughton nerves were evident on the field as well as on the touch line, however they were momentarily eased when Gardner sent over a well-struck penalty kick to increase the lead.

Alcester moved up above local side Warwickian on points difference with this win as they prepare for their derby visit to Claverdon next Saturday (3pm ko).

n The Colts went down 31-5 to Worcester in a friendly over the weekend.

Despite defending stoically, Alcester went in at the break 12-0 down after two Worcester tries.

Two more touch downs in the second half increased Worcester’s lead before Tom Alder pulled a try back after good work by Ryan Clark.

n The club are are holding their annual bonfire and fireworks evening on Friday, November 2 with all welcome to attend. The gates open at 6.30pm with the bonfire being lit at 7.30pm and the firework display starting at 8pm.

Entry costs £5 for adults and £3 for under-16s with admittance for pre-school children free of charge, parking is also free.