Report Submitted by Alcester RFC

Manor Park RFC 24-26 Alcester RFC

CONFIDENT Alcester picked up their third league victory this weekend after coming from behind to win at Manor Park.

After conceding an early penalty Alcester took the lead with a try from Jake Grainger who started at centre. Full-back, Frazer Jackson, converted to make it 7-3.

With storm like conditions raging the rest of the first 40 minutes was played deep in Alcester’s half.

By the break the home side had retaken the lead and were 17-7 up.

The turn around for Alcester was fast and decisive. Substitute Jack Green made an almost instant impact with his team’s first try of the second half.

Yellow cards for both Phil Birks and George Green didn’t stop Alcester’s dominance.

Jamie Harland extended the lead running in under the posts from distance.

The best try of the game was the visitors’ fourth, a cross kick from fly-half Josh O’Connor found winger Alex Chiles in the corner to score the decisive try.

At 26-17 Alcester had a winning lead and, despite a fight back from the home team, Alcester held on for victory due to an outstanding defensive effort in the closing stages.

Second row, Matt Johnson, making his first start of the season, was named man of the match.

Alcester's second team's poor discipline let them down as they were knocked out of the Warwickshire Second XV Shield by Leamington seconds on Saturday, losing 10-29.

Leamington went on the attack straight away, dodging several tackles to take themselves 7-0 up within the first few minutes.

Alcester kept giving away persistent penalties and were denied just short of the line before being penalised again, their penalty count stopping them from getting a real hold in the match.

Lewis Hopkins, playing scrum-half, started the game well and had the ball moving quickly from the back of the scrums and rucks.

The score remained the same right up until just before half time when Glynn Smith stretched himself tall to fall over the line and take Alcester within two points at the break, 5-7.

Leamington started the second half much like the first and scored an early try.

Nigel Burrows, who had shown good pace and strength throughout the afternoon, was yellow carded for a no arms tackle. Leamington took advantage of the extra player and extended their lead.

Leamington continued to rack up their points passing the ball swiftly through the hands of their pack and crossing the whitewash twice more and adding a penalty kick to their tally.

Man of the match, Glynn Smith, was yellow carded for a late tackle towards the end of the second half .

Luke Spencer did score one last try for Alcester but the game was already decided and the second team were now out of the cup.

Both teams take on Coventrians next week, the first team play a friendly at home whilst the seconds make a trip to Coventry to compete in their league.