ALCESTER RFC continued their perfect start to the new year with a hard-fought 33-25 victory away at Kidderminster Carolians.
A brace of tries from Dwayne Cruickshank and further scores from Jack Green, Will Silk and Noah Birks sealed a bonus point win for Alcester at Marlpool Lane.
The result means Alcester sit second in the Counties 1 Midlands West (South) table, six points behind leaders Worcester who have two games in hand.
Kidderminster made a bright start and scored the game’s opening try after just six minutes to take an early seven-point lead.
However, the home side then missed with a penalty attempt before Ed Gough broke the line and offloaded the ball to Cruickshank who gathered one-handed before dotting down.
And Gough converted the try to level the game only for Kidderminster to kick a penalty and reclaim the lead just before the half-hour mark.
The home side extended their lead with a second try as Kidderminster took an eight-point lead into the break.
However, Alcester responded early in the second half when Green crashed over the line and Gough converted.
Kidderminster scored their third try to move six points in front following an even quarter of an hour period.
However, Alcester eventually took the lead heading into the final quarter of the game as Silk dotted down under a pile of bodies as Gough again converted.
And the visitors scored their bonus point try when Cruickshank finished out wide to score his second of the game.
With just six points between the teams late on, both Kidderminster and Alcester lost two players to the sin-bin as tempers began to flare across three separate flashpoints.
Kidderminster’s number eight was first to be sin-binned and Birks pounced to score under the posts as Gough’s conversion put the visitors into a commanding 13-point lead.
Both teams finished the game with 13 players on the pitch and Kidderminster scored their bonus point try at the death as Alcester stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches.
Alcester are next in action against Bromyard on Saturday, February 14 with kick-off at 3pm at Kings Coughton.
Elsewhere, the club’s second XI claimed a 39-22 win against Birmingham Exiles.
Tries from Scott McGhee, Joel Barker, Luke Spencer, Louis Smith who crossed twice, Archie Beddard and Jamie Clarke scured a bonus point win for Alcester at Kings Coughton.
This weekend, Alcester will welcome university side, Birmingham Medics, for an annual fixture.
The game takes place on Saturday, February 7 with kick-off at 2.15pm at Kings Coughton.
