ALCESTER RFC cruised to a comprehensive 36-0 win against reigning Warwickshire 2nd XV cup champions Kenilworth II after the league fixture had been declared a home walkover in Alcester’s favour.
Alcester were awarded the league win before the game started, with Kenilworth unable to field enough players in the front row, but the visitors did at least fulfil the fixture.
The home walkover means Alcester sit second in the Counties 2 Midlands West (South) table, having won both of their opening matches, level with leaders Claverdon.
And Alcester were made to work for their first try which came on 25 minutes when Mark Burrell won the chase from a trademark kick ahead after the home pack had turned the ball over at the scrum.
Kenilworth played without a recognised hooker, which meant lineouts were uncontested, and Alcester benefitted from this when their hooker, Tommy Wright, crashed over from the back of a driving maul.
Alcester led by 10 points at the break and made changes at the interval as Harry Wylie replaced Alex Chiles on the wing and Ant Cauvin took the place of veteran Dave Marriott at prop.
And the home side increased their lead early in the second period when Burrell raced away for his second try of the match after a flowing move with full-back Tom Burgess adding the conversion.
Jack Green was next to crash over as he somehow grounded the ball underneath the posts through a crowd of attempted tackles with Burgess again adding the extras.
And scrums also became uncontested as Alcester grabbed two more tries before time was up through Jamie Harland and substitute wing Wylie.
Harland reacted quickest to kick a loose ball towards the posts before gathering and dotting down whilst Wylie scored with the last play of the game as Burgess converted both scores.
Alcester are next in action away at local rivals Woodrush on Saturday, September 17 with kick-off at 3pm at Icknield Street.
And Alcester’s 2nd XV were also victorious with a 49-5 win against Old Coventrians 2nd XV to make the perfect start to their home campaign.
Alcester ran in nine tries, whilst the visitors managed a single score, as James Roberts, Will Cooke, debutant Ieuan Hopkin, Sid Tunstall, Elliot Evans, Luke Spencer, Carl Platten, Greg Parsons and Scott McGhee all touched down.
Conversions were added by captain Sam Fell and Luke Spencer.
Alcester 2nds are next in Warwickshire Merit League action on Saturday, September 17 at home against Berkswell and Balsall 2nd XV.
