ALCESTER used the break from league action to visit neighbours Evesham.

Evesham are by some distance the best opposition Alcester have faced this season; they currently lie third in the division above Alcester and won their last league game against Coventry Welsh.

Alcester gave maiden first-team starts to colts Alex Chiles and Ed Johnson, while fellow colt Sam Smith played his initial first-team game at scrum half after a handful of senior appearances at centre. Hooker Tom Harris was back after an ankle injury, which kept him out for most of the month.

The hosts overwhelmed Alcester in the opening stages.

Two quick tries put them 12-0 up inside the first ten minutes.

Evesham scored one more try in the first half to lead 17-0 at the half-time interval.

Alcester upped their game in the second half, with Alex Chiles scoring their first try after a quickly taken lineout.

Tom Harris, man-of-the-match Ed Johnson and Ben Hope led the forwards to get parity upfront and, although Evesham scored two second-half tries, skipper Jack Green’s try midway through the half meant the visitors matched them try-for-try in the second period.

This was a good a test for a young Alcester team who are back in league action this Saturday when they visit Coventry to face Trinity Guild.

Meanwhile, Alcester Seconds lost 10-5 at home to Claverdon.

They led 5-0 until the final quarter, thanks to centre Luke Spencer successfully chasing down his own kick forwards.