Kidderminster Carolians 2nds XV 0 Alcester 31
ALCESTER produced a ruthlessly efficient performance to see off their hosts in this break from league action on Saturday.
However, it was Carolians who started the brighter and they came within inches of a score in the opening minutes.
After some impressive victories in Midlands Four West (South), this looked like a step up in opposition for Alcester as only the visitors’ scrambling defence kept the home side out.
It did not take long for Alcester to get to terms with the pace of the game and, with a foothold in the match from a strong set piece bolstered by veteran lock Dave Marriott, Alcester started to threaten.
A fast-flowing move took Alcester the length of the pitch in their first attack, only to be thwarted just short of the line.
However, by now Alcester were starting to click and it was skipper Jack Green who scored the first try of the game, converted by fly half Josh O’Connor.
A lineout close to the Kidderminster try-line resulted in Alcester’s second try when number 8 Phil Birks finished off a fine driving maul.
At 12-0 up at half time, the second half was more straightforward and there were three more tries in the final 40 minutes.
Teenage winger Oscar Holland scored the first to make it two tries from two first team starts before flanker Jamie Clarke and finally second row forward Luke Spencer sprinted in from the 22m line for his team’s fifth of the day.
Man of the match Jamie Harland slotted over two of the conversions.
For winger Alex Chiles and hooker Anthony Cauvin it was a welcome return to the first team, whilst Scott Carmichael rolled back the years at scrum half and regular hooker Tom Harris enjoyed a rare game on the flank.
Third placed Alcester return to league action on Saturday when they make the short trip to neighbours Redditch for a 2.15pm kick-off at Bromsgrove Road.
Alcester 2nd XV 22 Dixonians 19
ALCESTER took on a rare fixture against the side who now play Merit League rugby and operate out of Rowheath Pavilion in Bournville after a fairly nomadic existence over the last few years.
Alcester were bolstered by some players from Wellesbourne who were without a game and therefore the home side were able to call on their largest squad of the season so far.
It was the visiting Birmingham side who scored first before one of the Wellesbourne men – Dave Rooney – showed a typically speedy turn of pace to cross for Alcester, which levelled the score at the break.
Now with the slope at their back in the second half, the home side edged in front thanks to prop Kyran Flynn who crashed over from a short range ruck.
Rooney scored again when he reacted quickest to Alcester skipper Stu Whitehead’s kick ahead for a try that was converted, before Flynn also doubled his account after gathering the loose ball at a lineout before going over.
At 22-5 down, the visitors fought back near the end with two converted tries, but Alcester claimed a hard fought victory which is good preparation for Saturday’s derby day visit of neighbours Redditch to Kings Coughton.
Earlsdon Colts 5 Alcester Colts 49
A WELL drilled Alcester side claimed a convincing win on a frosty Sunday morning in Coventry thanks to an excellent team effort.
The visitors led 10-0 at the break thanks to tries from Billy Spires-White and James Bates and they opened up in the second half with seven more tries.
Charlie Sharp scored the first of the second period with a try that Harry Adams converted before the home side hit back with their only score of the game.
Alcester reclaimed the ascendancy as Earlsdon’s score was followed by tries from James Gionis, Oscar Holland and top scorer Cian Allen.
Bates scored his second and his side’s seventh in total, which was again converted by Adams, before Allen also scored his second and his 14th try of the season.
Charlie Spires-White was the last to cross the line and complete what his brother had started in the first half to round off the win and Alcester’s fifth victory from eight this season.