ALCESTER RFC suffered a 28-17 defeat against league leaders Ledbury as their seven-game unbeaten run at home came to an end.
Mark Burrell, Max Biltcliffe and Josh O’Connor scored Alcester’s tries as the Kings Coughton club were unable to end Ledbury’s 14-match unbeaten run.
The result means Alcester sit third in the Midlands 3 West (South) table, some 16 points behind joint leaders Ledbury and Old Leamingtonians.
And the visitors took the lead on 15 minutes with the game’s first try in blustery conditions only for Burrell to draw Alcester level as he ran around the opposition defence to score his ninth try in three matches.
The home side had a chance to edge in front when O’Connor charged down a clearing kick only to fumble the ball forwards in the aftermath with a clear path to the line.
Despite Ledbury having their captain sent to the sin bin for a push off the ball, the visitors scored their second try in the corner to reclaim the lead.
However, Alcester captain Biltcliffe restored parity shortly after only for Ledbury to kick a penalty on the stroke of half time to head into the break with a three-point advantage.
And the league leaders showed their class in the second period as another successful penalty and their third try of the match took them well clear.
Ledbury then scored their bonus point try to all but seal the victory with O’Connor going underneath the posts for Alcester’s only converted try of the game.
Alcester are next in action away at Manor Park on Saturday, February 19 with kick-off at 2.15pm at Griff and Coton Sports Club.
