CHRISTIAN Rushton scored a last-minute try as Alcester RFC secured a dramatic 24-17 win away at local rivals Evesham.
Rushton touched down his second try of the game at the death while Oscar Holland also crossed at Blind Lane as the visitors claimed back-to-back away victories.
The result means Alcester sit sixth in the Counties 1 Midlands West (South) table.
Evesham made the perfect start as the home side scored the game’s first try in the opening couple of minutes before striking again after breaking the line.
Alcester responded courtesy of an Ed Gough penalty before Evesham lost a player to the sin bin and Rushton ran a superb line to receive Jack Green’s offload and score under the posts.
The home side took a narrow two-point lead into the break before a yellow card for Gough saw frustrations boil over as both teams lost a player to the sin bin leaving Alcester temporarily down to 13-men.
Once back on the field, Gough saw his penalty attempt from distance fall short of the crossbar before Holland collected a loose ball and raced to the line to put Alcester ahead with the former adding the extras.
Evesham levelled the game with a try out wide, after Gough missed with another long range penalty attempt and the visitors lost Tommy Wright to the sin bin for a high tackle close to his own line.
However, Rushton crossed for his second try of the game in the final minute as Gough’s conversion put the seal on a fine win.
Alcester are next in action at home to Bromsgrove II on Saturday, March 16 with kick-off at 3pm at Kings Coughton.
Elsewhere, the club’s depleted second team suffered a 32-17 defeat away at Coventrians after starting the game with 13-men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Alcester showed heart and resilience throughout as Luke Spencer, Josh Ellis and Harry Roderick all crossed for tries in vain.
