Alcester 15 Birmingham Medics 13
THIS annual celebration of all that is good about the game of rugby resulted in a rare victory for Alcester over the team from the University of Birmingham.
It was the physicality of the home side which forced the win against a youthful Medics squad who were cheered on by a large and vocal travelling support on Saturday.
Much-changed from the home win over Coventrians, Alcester found themselves 3-0 down at the interval.
Will Silk, who moved from full back to scrum half, was lively throughout and Oscar Holland, impressive in defence and attack at inside centre, were the pick of the home side in a first half that saw them defending for long periods.
However, in a game of two halves, Alcester dominated the second 40 minutes and ran in three tries to one.
Silk dived over for two tries out wide after winger Jake Grainger – returning to the first team after more than a year out with a serious injury – had scored his team’s first try.
It was up front where Alcester dominated with number 8 Phil Birks and prop Sam Lear outstanding and almost unstoppable in their forward drives. Fly half Josh O’Connor kept his team going forward, allowing Holland and skipper Jack Green to take full advantage with ball in hand.
Captain Green was named man of the match for his work in attack and in defence. Flanker Matt Alderman, returning to the first team for the first time this season, was another to stand out with his aggressive defensive play, but unfortunately Alderman was caught on the wrong side of the referee more than once and will need to watch his penalty against count if he is to challenge for a place in the first team squad for league duty.
Table-topping Alcester’s Midlands Four West (South) title challenge resumes on Saturday when they travel to the Holbrooks area of Coventry for one of their toughest remaining tests of the season at fourth placed Coventry Welsh.
The Welsh men will be looking to exact revenge for a narrow defeat in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, when Alcester had to come from behind to win a game that had looked beyond them deep into the second half.
