ALCESTER RFC battled to a hard-fought 17-10 victory away at Earlsdon as the club returned to action for the first time in almost a month.
Tries from Lewis Walker and Ieuan Hopkin, along with seven points from Ed Gough’s boot, saw Alcester extend their unbeaten run to eight matches at Mitchell Avenue.
The result means Alcester sit second in the Counties 1 Midlands West (South) table.
Alcester opened the scoring when Gough kicked a penalty midway through the first half after the home side failed to convert an earlier penalty attempt.
And Earlsdon then lost a player to the sin-bin for a high tackle on Walker before the latter crossed for the game’s first try which Gough converted.
Alcester took a 10-point lead into the break with Earlsdon yet to trouble the scoreboard.
And the visitors stretched their lead in the second half when Hopkin went over and Gough converted.
Alcester lost Dwayne Cruickshank to the sin-bin midway through the second period and Earlsdon took full advantage to score their first try of the game.
Earlsdon crossed again in the closing stages to reduce the deficit to seven points while the game finished on a different pitch owing to an injury to Cruickshank who required hospital treatment.
Alcester are next in action against runaway leaders Worcester on Saturday, March 7 with kick-off at 3pm at Kings Coughton.
