ALCESTER lost their relegation battle as they went down to their fellow strugglers on Saturday.

Defeat ensured the Kings Coughton side finished second from bottom in the Midlands Division Four West (South).

Without injured captain Joe Sears and pack leader Phil Birks, Alcester were competitive for the first quarter of this game against a much improved Stoke team that had put more than 30 points past Claverdon the weekend before.

Pressure eventually told as the home side turned over ball and forced their way through a stretched away defence for the first score of the game.

Soon after Alcester lost Mika Pieri to a recurrence of a rib injury. He was replaced by promising youngster Christian Rushton.

The home side soon extended their lead with a second and then a third try before the interval.

And at 22-0 down Alcester’s fate for next season was sealed with 40 minutes of the game remaining.

Centre Ross Waterhouse and winger George Green were forced off at half-time because of injuries as Alcester struggled with the physicality of the opposition.

The visitors improved in the second half, despite losing their impressive flanker Jimmy Watson to yet another injury.

Captain for the day Jack Green led from the front, putting in a huge number of impressive tackles and deservedly took the man of the match award.

The home side completed the scoring with a fourth try in the dying minutes of the game.

Alcester end the season at title contenders Woodrush on April 5.

The U17s lost 29-10 to Harbury. Alex Chiles created and finished off his own try.

Harbury responded with a converted try and Alcester were dealt another blow when Ben Godson was forced off with an ankle injury.

Harbury bagged another seven points to take a 12-5 lead at half-time but they doubled their advantage after the break with two more tries.

Arun Bhaduri followed up a good move to touch down for Alcester.

But Harbury then completed the scoring with yet another touch down.

Alcester’s U15s eventually got the better of Harbury 41-32.

Tom Goddard, Cameron Hinckley, Jamie Harland, Henry Miles, Edward Alborghetti and Dom Armstrong (2) and two conversions from Josh O’Connor sealed victory.