Alcester RFC's dream start becomes a nightmare defeat to Dunlop

Scrum-half Dan Marcus drew Dunlop's defence out of position from the back of a scrum before sending winger Alex Chiles in the clear to scamper over for the first try of the game.

Although full-back Frazer Jackson was unable to land the following conversion, he made amends minutes later by kicking a penalty to put Alcester 8-0 up.

But Dunlop soon showed why they have gone top of the table as they responded with two well worked forwards tries as they went onto secure a 24-20 triumph.

The first try resulted from a driving maul following a line-out and then Dunlop shoved Alcester back over their own try line from a five metre scrum.

Alcester struck back to score further tries through full-back Jackson and centre Jack Green, Jackson, also added one conversion for good measure to put his side into a 20-17 lead at half time.

Dunlop took control of the game after half time as the rain became heavier.

They stopped Alcester from playing their preferred wide game by starving them of possession and then scored the only try of the second half, which they converted to seal victory.

Alcester's frustrating second half was made worse when influential fly-half Josh O'Connor suffered a painful leg strain.

This Saturday, Alcester entertain Harborne in the RFU Senior Vase.

Alcester's second XV lost their opening league game of the season when suffering a 43-21 defeat to AEI Rugby.

Again Alcester made an excellent start when full-back Scott McGee used his pace to reach a kick ahead first and then offloaded for Cian Allen to score and Glyn Smith converted.

But AEI made it look easy when finding gaps in Alcester's defence to run in five first half tries.

Alcester could only add one more try before the break through Rupert Daffern to leave them 33-14 adrift by half time.

AEI added another converted try after the break plus a penalty while Alcester replied with another converted try from Daffern.