Stoke Old Boys 26 Alcester 39

ALCESTER eased their relegation worries after securing only their second away win of the season following a 39-26 victory over Stoke Old Boys on Saturday (April 2).

The visitors got off to the worst possible start when they conceded a try in the first minute after their Coventry opponents capitalised on a loose pass from scrum-half Robbie Parker.

Alcester responded shortly after through full-back Sam Smith, converting a try to level the scores inside the first 10 minutes at Albert Gale Field, before falling short from a penalty kick.

Yet Tom Goddard, the youngest son of former club chairman Pete, handed his side the lead after converting a try on his debut following a smart move which began from the back line.

Stoke levelled from a close-range set piece before Smith added his second try of the game, powering through the hosts defence to allow Alcester to regain the lead.

Forward Ed Johnson extended Alcester’s advantage with a try just before the break, in a half that ended with confrontation as Stoke finished a man down following a yellow card.

Alcester picked up the second half as they finished the first, with substitute Matt Ashby extending their score with a penalty kick, although a third Stoke try narrowed the deficit to 27-19.

Ashby then added a try to complete a well-worked move that began with a stunning solo 50-metre run from Jamie Clarke.

In a heated game, Stoke saw prop George Green and centre Jamie Clarke sent to the sin bin late on, allowing the visitors to add a further two tries to their tally – another coming from Johnson.

Victory secures a Midlands Division Four West (South) double over Stoke as Alcester head into their final game of the season at home to second-placed Upton on Severn on Saturday, three points off 10th-placed Coventrians.

Dunlop Under-16s 0 Alcester Under-16s 59 ALCESTER UNDER-16s roared to a 59-0 victory over Dunlop after a flying performance from Harry Adams.

Adams notched seven conversions against the recently-formed Dunlop side, while Cian Allen also made his mark to complete a first-half hat trick and leave his side 47-0 up at the interval.

The red and blacks added to their total against an improved Dunlop in the second half, yet the hosts could not reduce the deficit as Adam Currien and Oscar Holland rounded off Alcester’s tally to 59.