MARK Burrell scored a hat-trick as Alcester RFC produced one of their best performances of the season to secure a 41-7 bonus point win against Bromyard and keep their title hopes alive.
Burrell crossed twice in the first half before scoring his side’s final try as Max Biltcliffe, Jamie Harland, Josh O’Connor and Ed Gough all crossed at Kings Coughton.
The result means Alcester remain two points behind Manor Park in the Counties 2 Midlands West (South) table having secured a fourth successive victory.
Alcester were in the ascendancy from the off as prop Kyran Flynn was held up over the line by several Bromyard defenders.
However, Alcester eventually made the breakthrough when Biltcliffe crashed over at the back of the pack following a strong drive from a lineout.
And Alcester crossed for their second try soon after as a swift move saw the ball worked out to Burrell on the right wing who raced away for a smart finish which was converted by Tom Burgess.
Burrell scored a quickfire second try as he once again showed the Bromyard defence a clean pair of heels before Harland scored Alcester’s bonus point try, converted by Burgess, following a powerful run and offload by Ollie Hopkins.
And there was still time for Alcester to score their fifth try before half time as a well-taken lineout moved through the hands and O’Connor was set free to send the home side into the break with a 29-nil lead.
Bromyard improved after the break as Alcester’s Lewis Wright led a disciplined defensive effort to keep the visitors at bay despite a penalty attempt striking the post.
At the other end, Gough increased Alcester’s lead with a score in the corner after another flowing move in the backs before Bromyard finally troubled the scoreboard with a converted try of their own following a kick and chase whilst O’Connor was sin binned for a late tackle on the try scorer.
However, despite being a man down, Alcester scored the game’s final try after Bromyard failed to deal with Will Silk’s high box kick and Burrell gathered the ball to score his hat-trick try which was converted by Burgess.
Alcester are next in action away at Southam on Saturday, March 4 with kick-off at 2.15pm at Kineton Road.
Elsewhere, Alcester’s 2nd XV drew 31-all with Harbury’s second XV as the latter side stepped after Alcester’s original opponents pulled out of the fixture.
Harry Wylie scored a hat-trick for Alcester as Kane O’Connor and Callum Razzak both touched down with Tommy Wale kicking two conversions and Ollie Hardy one.
