AFTER both sets of scheduled opponents – Malvern 3rds and Aldridge 2nds – cried off in midweek, Alcester merged their firsts and seconds to stage a keenly fought inter-club game on Saturday.
This weekend, Alcester have a bye in the first round of the National Junior Vase and the first XV instead are scheduled to play host to Shirley-based side Camp Hill 2nds in a 3pm kick-off.
League action returns to Kings Coughton on October 11 when Birmingham Exiles are the visitors in Midlands Five West (South).
ALCESTER U15s were beaten 78-10 at Moseley as they learned the lesson that fitness and practice prevail.
Good early pressure from the forwards and great searching runs from Leo Clarke, Cian Allen and Oscar Holland put the home side under pressure and it was no surprise to see Alcester take an early lead.
The first try was set up from a lineout won by Sam Sullivan feeding Liam Ashford who supplied a crash pass to Clarke who side-stepped the tackle to score to the right of the posts. The conversion by Harry Adams had height and distance but unfortunately skimmed past the post.
The second try came a few minutes later when, deep in the Alcester half, Sullivan passed the ball wide to Will Kelso who managed to make a pass in the tackle to Holland.
Holland’s quick-thinking kicked the ball into the space behind the home full back before he raced virtually the full length of the pitch, kicking the ball on twice more and showing great pace to eventually dive over the line and scored a brilliant try. The conversion attempt from Clarke again had good height and distance but went wide.
However, the hosts then took command and turned the match on its head in spectacular style to secure a convincing victory.
ALCESTER U11s were involved in a feisty and entertaining match at home to Kenilworth.
The hosts were buoyed by the addition of four new players to the squad and were wearing their brand new kit supplied by this season’s sponsors Sharpe Tooling Ltd.
Alcester opened brightly and took the game to Kenilworth and scored early on after a fine run by Toby Wilson. This was followed shortly afterwards when Joe Ward drove for the line.
Kenilworth then pulled back a couple of well worked tries to go into the interval level at two tries each.
After the break Alcester stamped their authority on the game and the pace of Wilson was a constant threat. He added to his tally a further two times to complete his hat-trick.
Further tries from Felix Slaughter and a fantastic 60-yard dash for the line by Harvey Sharpe completed the scoring for a well deserved 6-3 win.
In the second game, Kenilworth’s big squad allowed them to bring on a whole set of fresh legs and they started to find their rhythm and were convincing winners in the end, with a 9-4 victory.
Alcester’s scorers were Oliver Macadam, scoring on his debut and capping off an excellent performance, Josh Owen and a brace from the influential Sharpe.
Coaches’ man of the match was the impressive Macadam, but every squad member played their part in a really entertaining game.
