Stourport 17, Alcester 44

ALCESTER made it eight games unbeaten with a comfortable friendly victory in Wyre Forest.

Despite missing regular first teamers Phil Birks through concussion, Louis Smith and half backs Robbie Parker and Glyn Smith, the much-changed visitors had too much fire power.

Alcester ran in three tries in the first 15 minutes. Winger Alex Chiles scored the first, Andy Conway the second and skipper Jack Green, playing out of position at fly half, the third.

Shell-shocked, the home team clawed their way back into the match through their huge pack of forwards and only George Green’s bravery enabled his team to secure any quality ball.

Stourport pulled back a try just as Alcester’s speedster Ryan Clark had to leave the field with a dislocated finger, but Alcester hit back quickly when hooker Harry Abell ran a great support line to finish off his team’s fourth try of the half. A conversion from Jack Green made it 22-5 at the interval.

Alcester’s defence improved in the second half as the home side threw everything at the pack.

Clark, who had his fingers taped up, ran in a superb breakaway try to extend his side’s lead, but two tries and a conversion from Stourport closed the gap to just 10 points and a close final quarter looked likely.

As the pressure increased, Alcester stepped up to seal the game with three more tries as the home side were blown away.

Man of the match Andy Conway scored his second of the game and converted it.

Not to be outdone, Abell then bagged his second try of the day, converted by skipper Green, before Clark finished off the rout, he too recording a brace of tries.

Alcester return to league action next weekend when they visit mid table Rugby Welsh for a 2.15pm kick-off.

Meanwhile, the seconds fought out a keenly contested draw against Kidderminster Carolians thirds in a 10-10 draw.

Being able to call on a squad of 20 players for the first time this year, the home side took the lead inside the first quarter when Rikki Bowers rounded off a move with a well taken try.

KCs levelled to make it 5-5 but Alcester re-took the lead when winger Sam Cleall crossed for his first try for Alcester, in his debut season at the club.

The visitors were always a threat in the tight phases and it was through their ever dominant scrum that their second equalizing score came and neither side could be separated.