EXCELLENT Alcester have taken over top spot in Midlands Division Four West South after pulling off a prized 27-10 victory over previous leaders Bromyard.

The Herefordshire side arrived at Kings Coughton as the only club to have beaten Alcester in league rugby this season.

Since their first meeting, Alcester have gone on a 10 match winning spree but were under no illusions of the threat Bromyard posed and soon found themselves 10-0 down.

Bromyard bossed the early stages and spurned a real try-scoring chance when the ball was spilt as a score seemed certain.

Alcester then had flanker Jamie Clarke sent to the sin bin for a ruck offence and Bromyard soon took advantage, kicking the resulting penalty and then scoring a converted try.

With Clarke still in the sin bin, Alcester inside centre Jamie Harland crossed for a try before left wing Lewis Walker scored a second to level the game at 10-10 by half time.

The accurate Harland then kicked Alcester in front with a penalty before the defining moment of the game arrived.

Fly-half Max Biltcliffe produced a probing crossfield kick which was spectacularly gathered by right wing Tom Goddard who raced over to score a third try which Harland duly converted.

Trailing 20-10, Bromyard then enjoyed their best spell of the game but could find no way through a dogged and determined Alcester defence.

Ironically Jamie Clarke had the final say, charging down an attempted Bromyard clearance kick to secure his side's fourth try which Harland converted to seal a bonus point win.

IT proved an outstanding weekend for Alcester as their Second XV booked their place in the Warwickshire Second XV Shield Final on Sunday.

Alcester edged out Coventrians 34-25 and now face either Atherstone or local rivals Claverdon in the final.

Tries from Meka Pieri, Jose Jimenez, Toby Allen, Jamie Miller, Tim Jackson and Luke Spencer did the trick while Glyn Smith converted the final two tries to seal a memorable result and clinch a second Shield final in three years.