Alcester 10, Coventrians 18

ALCESTER slipped to a frustrating defeat after a scrappy affair at King’s Coughton.

This result, together with others on the day, leaves Alcester looking over their shoulders once more in the battle to avoid relegation.

Coventrians started with the wind and slope at their back and went in front with their first try inside the first 10 minutes.

The early stages were scrappy, with Alcester in particular regularly being turned over when taking the ball into contact.

The home side fell further behind from a penalty after an infringement at a line-out.

Veteran Nick O’Connor, two months short of his 50th birthday, came off the bench to add more experience to the home pack and shortly afterwards scrum half Robbie Parker came close to scoring.

Full back Sam Smith slotted his side’s first points from a penalty having fallen just short only moments earlier from a long range attempt.

Phil Birks gathered cleanly and fed fly half Glyn Smith who burst into space and fed right wing Alex Chiles.

The home speedster took advantage of a complete mismatch in a disorganised visiting defence to race in. Sam Smith converted with his kick smacking the upright before dropping over to level the scores.

Coventrians changed their game plan to wrestle back control of the game.

They earned another penalty which their kicker sent over inside the final quarter of the game and from then the home side were forced to chase the match. A late try then sealed Alcester’s defeat.

The Kings Coughton side have a break from league action next weekend.