Alcester crash to Yards defeat (From Redditch Advertiser)

Alcester crash to Yards defeat

12:00pm Friday 15th March 2013 in Local Sport

Old Yardleians 50, Alcester 0

ALCESTER could not prevent Midlands Four West (South) leaders Old Yardleians from securing promotion.

Without Robbie Parker, Will Harcourt and Matt Alderman, Alcester were grateful to see second row Dave Marriott return from injury and students Ben Hansen and Adam Beech back to bolster the ranks.

In the early stages the visitors surprised Old Yards, who have only been beaten once all season, with their commitment and aggression at the ruck.

Scrum-half Joe Sears rattled his opposite number from the start and continued to be a thorn in his side all game.

With the scores level after 15 minutes, the hosts burst into life as they powered into a 24-0 lead by half-time.

An injury to captain Ben Hope disrupted Alcester, but with Brett Allard taking over as skipper the first 20 minutes of the second-half proved to be Kings Coughton men’s best period of the game.

Ben Lunnon came closest to scoring for the visitors with a drive from a good driving Alcester maul.

But as the game entered the final phase, Yardleians piled on the pressure to open up tiring Alcester to extend their lead.

The Kings Coughton side can take a big step towards safety on Saturday when they visit basement boys Keresley on Saturday (3pm ko).

Meanwhile, the seconds were edged out 8-3 by Evesham’s third team. Paul Taylor scored a penalty for Alcester.

Alcester’s planned evening with the former Irish international Kevin Maggs on Friday has been cancelled due to the rearrangement of Moseley’s Championship home game against Bristol to Friday night.