Clarke’s try sole bright spot of day

ALCESTER’S relegation woes in the Midlands Division Four West (South) deepened after they suffered defeat against their mid-table local rivals.

The visitors quickly gained the ascendancy and straight from the kick-off were awarded a penalty which was sent just wide by their kicker in less-than-conducive conditions under foot.

It was not long before Claverdon took a deserved lead, although the home side seemingly surrendered far too easily as the visitors caught and drove from a lineout over the Alcester line.

The away side doubled their lead with another try, which was this time converted.

Alcester hit back through top scorer and right wing Ryan Clarke, who converted half a chance into a score to bring his side within reach.

Unfortunately for the home side, this was a brief respite in the visitors’ domination and Claverdon crossed the line twice before half-time.

Claverdon were reduced to 14 men in the run up to half-time, when one of their second row forwards was sin-binned for an infringement at a tackle.

Alcester needed a good start to the second half.

But after a break for rain, a quagmire of a pitch ended the match as a contest.

Alcester take a break from league action on Saturday, for one of their main events on the season’s calendar at home to Birmingham Medics (2.15pm ko).

l The seconds went down 44-7 to Spartans third team, with Chris Hanley touching down. They have two weeks to prepare for their big day on Sunday, February 9, when they play Atherstones in the Warwickshire Shield final.