ALCESTER'S First XV left it late to find their rhythm as they lost out out 18-10 to Manor Park.

It was an even first half, both teams had chances but it was Manor Park who edged it 5-0 at the break.

Manor Park started the second half as the dominant force scoring three tries and a penalty kick.

Alcester came to life in the last 10 minutes and scored through Louis Smith and Phil Birks but it was too little, too late.

However Alcester's seconds recorded a 58-0 victory over Manor Park Seconds, a similar scoreline to ones they’ve been on the wrong side of for the past few weeks.

The Seconds were able to select arguably their strongest side of the season which included hooker Tommy Harris and veteran Scott Carmichael, embarking on his 26th season of senior rugby.

Carmichael bagged a hat-trick of tries from full-back, he opened the scoring and also ran in the last score of the half.

Other first half tries came from prop Kyran Flynn, wing Luke Spencer, and scrum half Lewis Hopkins for a 25-0 lead at the break.

Playing down the slope in the second half, Hopkins scored his second, before Carmichael completed his triple. Cian Allen added the eighth try running in from 70 yards after out-pacing the defence before fellow back Jake Grainger crossed for the ninth and Spencer rounded off the scoring and completed a double for himself with a superb finish. Spencer also converted four of the second half tries.