Alcester 39 - 32 Coventry Welsh

EXCELLENT Alcester clawed back a 19-0 deficit to secure a spectacular 39-32 success over high flying Coventry Welsh in Midlands Division Four West South.

It put the icing on the cake for President Andy Miller's annual lunch as Alcester recorded their third straight win which takes them up to sixth in the table.

Coventry Welsh soon took charge when their pack drove over for an early converted try.

Two more tries soon followed and at 19-0 down, Alcester appeared to facing a long and difficult afternoon.

Coach Keith Beech rang the changes and Alcester responded with tries from lock Louis Smith and centre Jamie Harland cutting the Coventry Welsh advantage to 19-10 at half time.

Welsh soon increased the lead on resumption of the second half with a penalty but full back Scott Carmichael responded with his side's third try which Ben Hope converted.

Alcester's replacement fly half Josh O'Connor was then sent to the sin bin and Coventry Welsh quickly converted the resulting penalty to make the score 25-17.

Undeterred, Alcester hit back with winger Luke Spencer scoring a fourth and bonus point try to make it 25-22.

Coventry Welsh must have thought they'd killed the game off when their pack produced another try from a driving maul which was expertly converted from the touchline to put them 32-22 ahead.

With the clock running down, Scott Carmichael bulldozed over for his second try of the game as Alcester got on top in the closing stages.

The return of O'Connor restored Alcester to full numbers and that proved significant.

With Coventry Welsh now reduced to 14 themselves, O'Connor then pounced for a try to put Alcester ahead for the first time before Lewis Walker sealed victory with his side's seventh try.

Alcester make the short trip to Harbury this Saturday who were relegated to Division Four last season and sit just one point above them in the league table having played a game more.

SEVERAL Alcester Second XV players travelled to support Shottery when they took on Leamington Thirds at Moorfields.

The scheme by which local clubs help out each other has really benefitted Alcester this season and enables players to keep playing.

Although Leamington proved comfortable winners, Alcester's Rup Daffern had an impressive game and provided the assist for one of his side's scores.

Alcester's Under-13 side recorded their second success of the season when beating Wythall based side Woodrush 40-10, That was after Woodrush had raced into a 10-0 lead before Alcester responded with tries from Ryan Streete, Joe Ward, Felix Slaughter, Will Harris, Josh Owen and Henry Willison.