Alcester power to fine win (From Redditch Advertiser)

Alcester power to fine win

1:00pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in Local Sport

Alcester 17, Claverdon 15

RELEGATION battling Alcester returned to action by bagging a vital victory over their rivals for the drop in the Midlands Divison Four West (South) on Saturday.

The third from bottom side widened the gap of Warwickian to five points as they claimed a derby victory.

James Randall’s long distance kick secured victory in a topsy-turvy second half.

Scrum half Robbie Parker, who has missed much of the season due to injury, was instrumental in the win, organising his pack and feeding quick ball to his back line.

The home side were playing up the slop into the wind in the first half and Claverdon opened the scoring with a try.

The away team extended their advantage with a converted touch down.

Lock Chris Walmsley was outstanding throughout, hooker Tommy Harris was involved with everything good about the Alcester game and his props Jason Richings and Nev Teasdale gave their team the foundation they needed in the set piece.

Alcester replied when centre Jack Green touched down, running an unstoppable line after half backs Parker and Randall had created the space.

Joe Sears pounced on a stray pass to score a try and Randall kicked the conversion to hand Alcester the lead early in the second half.

In a final, frenetic quarter both teams could have won the game.

Alcester had chances to pull further clear but kicks sailed wide only for the visitors to edge back in front with a penalty of their own.

But the hosts weren't to be denied and Randall made no mistake with his long range kick to win the points which gives the King’s Coughton men a real boost in their battle for survival at this level.

The Kings Coughton men entertain Coventrians in a rearranged fixture to replace one of the games lost to the recent wintry weather conditions (2.15pm ko).

Meanwhile, the under-16s were edged out 29-22 by Evesham.

With skipper and fly half Josh Godson unavailable this week, the home team were forced to reshuffle, with former skipper Sam Smith once again takin the arm band and Charlie Whiston making his first ever start in the number ten shirt.

Evesham out gunned their hosts by five tries to four, with the home tries coming from a brace of close range finishes from man of the match prop Kyran Flynn and two from centre Alex Chiles.

With regular two kickers missing because of injuries, it was down to Ed Goddard to take over the duties to slot the conversion of the penalty try from in front of the posts.