ALCESTER were edged out 21-17 by visitors Woodrush on the opening day of the Midlands Three West (South) season.
Despite missing a penalty kick, Woodrush took the early ascendancy as they bounced back moments later with a successfully converted try.
The home side missed their first attempt at the posts too but were spurred on by the large home crowd in attendance for Alcester’s ‘Legends Day’ get-together.
The Kings Coughton men upped their attack and spent the rest of the first half pressing towards the line but the Woodrush defence was tight.
However, Alcester gained the advantage of the extra man as Woodrush’s winger was sin-binned for not rolling away. He took one for the team after an accumulation of persistent infringements in the defence’s attempt to keep Alcester out.
Alcester’s first few attempts were unsuccessful before Ed Gough’s cross-field kick towards the wing was fumbled and bounced into touch and Jamie Harland’s connecting pass to set debutant winger Andy Bishop free to the line was deemed forward.
However, their persistence paid off, as just before half-time scores were levelled through a Louis Smith try and an Ed Gough conversion to make it 7-7.
After the break, man of the match Harland took Alcester into the lead for the first time and his team continued to dominate proceedings in the second half.
Ben Hope put Alcester further ahead with his well-worked try but home celebrations were shortlived as Woodrush staged their comeback.
Woodrush scored two quickfire tries and left little time for Alcester to retaliate as the opposition walked away with the win.
Alcester can take a lot of positives from the game, build upon them, see the return of some key players and look towards their friendly fixture against Stratford 2nds this weekend, when Alcester 2nds get their first run-out against Claverdon.
