Alcester 31, Atherstone 7

ALCESTER claimed their first win of the season in the Midlands Division Four West (South) and in the process got their league campaign off to an excellent start with a five try and bonus point victory against their Warwickshire opponents.

Their match winner was teenaged left wing, Alex Chiles who helped himself to a hat-trick of tries, making it five in just two appearances so far this season.

Having been promoted at the end of last season this was a tough looking opening fixture against opponents who finished in the top half of the league last season.

Starting up the slope in the first half, Alcester scored the only points of a fairly even opening 40 minutes of few scoring chances.

Chiles latched on to a kick through by fly half Sam Smith to cross the line and ensure his side led 5-0 at the break.

The second half started in a similar vein, with the visitors having the edge up front, but the hosts looked more dangerous out wide.

The home defence was ruthlessly exploited by one of the Atherstone centres, who raced in unchallenged for his side’s try which was converted to give the visitors the lead.

This score spurred Alcester into life and in a dominant final quarter of the game they ran in four more tries.

Chiles doubled his and his side’s touch down count with another well-taken finish.

Moments later, he completed his hat-trick, when he intercepted an Atherstone back line move to sprint in for the score from just inside his own half. Substitute Josh Godson converted.

Now ten points clear at 17-7, Alcester proceeded to play their best rugby of the game to make the game safe.

First skipper Jack Green literally smashed his way through the Atherstone defence, sending an opponent spiralling backwards at contact, which created space for scrum half Robbie Parker following up in support to dart in for his side’s fourth try. Godson again converted.

Back rower Ben Hope scored the fifth and final try from the back of a solid scrum as he broke clear to force his way over. Godson again added the extras.

This was a good all round team performance by Alcester’s young side, who showed great togetherness to come through in this one.

Up front man of the match Louis Smith at lock and back rower Phil Birks led the fronting up to the physical challenge of their more experienced opponents, while out wide centre Lee Avery- Sherwood underlined again what a good acquisition he is proving to be for Alcester with a gritty performance in defence and attack.

The King’s Coughton men travel to Birmingham Civil Service next weekend to face opponents that pipped them to the league title in last year’s promotion winning campaign (3pm ko).

The seconds were without a game this weekend but next week host Kidderminster Carolians thirdsat King’s Coughton (3pm ko).