ALCESTER RFC slipped to a narrow 17-12 defeat at home to Old Wheatleyans as the Kings Coughton side were knocked off top spot following just their second defeat of the season in a feisty affair.
Tries from Iuean Hopkin and Max Biltcliffe put Alcester into a 12-point lead only for Old Wheatleyans to produce an impressive comeback as both teams had a player sent off either side of the break.
The result means Alcester drop below new leaders Manor Park in the Counties 2 Midlands West (South) table and trail the Nuneaton-based side by three points.
Alcester took the lead on 15 minutes with the game’s first try as Hopkin drove over the line and Tom Burgess kicked the conversion after Matt Johnson won clean ball at a lineout and the forwards worked tirelessly to create an opening.
And Alcester increased their lead when Biltcliffe was at the back of a maul following another good lineout take and drive whilst Old Wheatleyans had a player in the sin bin for a high tackle.
However, the visitors scored their first points, despite still being a man short, with a penalty following an infringement at a ruck.
A flashpoint just before the break saw Old Wheatleyans reduced to 14-men as the recently sin binned player received a second yellow card after he was embroiled in some afters following a tackle.
However, Alcester’s numerical advantage did not last long as Dwayne Cruikshank was red carded for a tackle that the referee deemed high and late.
And Old Wheatleyans took control of the game thereafter to score their first try from a catch and drive at a lineout to reduce the deficit to two points.
The visitors completed the turnaround midway through the second half with another catch and drive score as Alcester were punished for an error-strewn display.
And the hosts were unable to regain the lead in the remaining minutes which saw an Alcester penalty reversed and Phil Birks sent to the sin bin.
Old Wheatleyans remain the only team to beat Alcester this season having completed a league double over the Kings Coughton side who lost at home for the first time this campaign.
Alcester are next in action at home to Woodrush on Saturday, February 4 with kick-off at 2.15pm at Kings Coughton.
