Alcester 19, Aston Old Edwardians 0

ALCESTER made a welcome return to winning ways and progressed to the third round of the National Vase competition for only the second time in over 20 attempts with an excellent victory.

The Kings Coughton side produced a gritty and determined team performance.

The Aston were making a rare visit to Alcester aving dropped a couple of levels in recent times, which now qualifies them for this lower level RFU competition.

The Birmingham men arrived with a similar league record to the hosts with both sides now operating at Midlands Division Four level, albeit in different regional sections of the league.

The King’s Coughton men once again were forced into several changes due to injuries and unavailability, which this week led to a number being asked to play out of their regular positions to provide cover.

Last week's man of the match, 17-year-old Lewis Walker, was asked to fill in at centre this week and he responded with a two-try match winning performance.

Phil Birks, another back row regular, stood in for a first ever start at scrum half and he gave a man of the match performance.

With the wind and slope at their back in the first half, the bigger visiting pack took the game to their hosts from the start and camped in Alcester’s 22 yard area for much of the opening exchanges.

The hosts repelled a lively start from Aston, with Louis Smith and Matt Johnson central to the rear guard effort in the opening quarter of the game.

The conditions led to a scrappy contest at times, with numerous knock ons and infringements.

Alcester scored with their first real foray up field, when winger Matt Ashby made good ground with a powerful run and Jack Green crashed over for the only score of the half.

With the elements at their back in the second half, Alcester side began to get on top.

Lewis Walker extended Alcester’s lead with his first try which Ashby converted.

In the final quarter of the game, Walker scored his second and killed the game off as a contest with his side’s third try following the most free flowing back line move of the game. Ashby again converted.

Alcester made changes throughout the second half, most notably giving Elliott Evans and Kyran Flynn their competitive first team debuts, as well as introducing veteran lock Andy Spiers for his welcome return to action after a long injury and illness enforced lay off.

In what was a full blooded contest throughout the visitors were forced to play most of the closing stages a man down, after their left winger was yellow carded for a no arms tackle.

Alcester managed to close the game out with their opponents scoreless in what was one of the most impressive performances in recent years at King’s Coughton.

They are hoping to take this form into next week’s return to league action and the big derby game at neighbours Redditch (2.15pm ko).