HARBURY 52, ALCESTER 6

RELEGATION-BATTLING Alcester were no match for title-chasing Harbury on Saturday.

After a big friendly win against Birmingham Exiles last week, the Kings Cought men’s fortunes suffered a down turn.

Without captain Joe Sears and pack leader Phil Birks, Jack Green skippered Alcester with veteran second row Andy Spiers leading the forwards.

Alcester were without a number of first team regulars, and with late and unexpected cry-offs denying Alcester any options from the bench, the visitors were always up against it against a team battling for promotion.

In the first 20 minutes there was nothing in the game. Alcester’s inexperienced side matched the home team and took the lead when fly half Tom Alder converted a penalty.

The home side looked nervous and the away team’s pressing defence was forcing them into mistakes.

But once Harbury did cross the line their confidence grew as Alcester wilted.

From then on it was a one sided affair. Up front the visitors couldn’t match the home side’s strength or their aggression.

In the backs the teams were much closer matched. Alcester centre Ross Waterhouse was outstanding in defence as well as a thorn in the home team’s side going forward. He deservedly earned himself Alcester’s man of the match award. They take on derby rivals Redditch at home on Saturday (2.15pm ko).

Meanwhile, the under-15s defeated Shipston 39-15.