Sat 14 Oct 2023
Ledbury 76 vs Alcester 12
A much changed Alcester side fell to a heavy defeat in Herefordshire against their unbeaten hosts who sit joint top of the table after this victory despite a more competitive first half which saw the visitors only trail 24-12 at one stage.
Harry Roderick and Ollie Pittaway made their 1st XV league debuts and they became the third and fourth members of last seasons colts team in the 1st XV squad for this game.
The home side scored first but Alcester hit back with a try by lock Louis Smith. Ed Gough hit the post with the conversion.
Ledbury's scrum domination was providing them plenty of possession and they raced it into a 24-5 lead, before there was a yellow card for both sides and with numbers reduced, Ed Gough crossed the line for Alcester and converted his own try to pull the score back to 24-12. Another home try before the break gave them a commanding 31-12 at half time.
A tiring Alcester side struggled to cope with the home sides power in the second half as they upped the aggression and took the game away from the visitors, with 45 unanswered points.
Alcester’s Ieuan Hopkin was named man of the match due to his powerful ball carrying.
Alcester host the other joint leaders, and another Herefordshire side, Luctonians 2nd XV for a 3pm kick off on Saturday.
