Sat 18 Nov 2023
Bromsgrove 2nd XV 22 Alcester 29
Alcester got back to winning ways with a hard-fought bonus point win over their near neighbours, with wing Alex Chiles leading the way with a brace of tries, in a come back victory after they trailed 15-12 at the break.
On an extremely heavy pitch, Alcester scored first inside the first few minutes with Chiles scoring his first try which Ed Gough converted to give the visitors a 7-0 lead, but that advantage didn’t last long when Bromsgrove hit straight back with a converted try of their own to level the scores.
Both sides cancelled each other out for the next 20 minutes until Alcester were reduced to fourteen men when Jamie Clarke was yellow carded for a high tackle and the home side kicked the resulting penalty for a 10-7 lead.
Despite being down to fourteen men, Alcester retook the lead when Max Biltcliffe scored at the back of a driving maul from a line out catch and drive to give his side a 12-10 lead.
In the closing stages of the half Bromsgrove scored their second try to reclaim the lead, 15-12, at the break.
Alcester regained the ascendancy early in the second half and Chiles scored his second try, with a Bromsgrove player yellow carded for a late tackle after the score.
With the numerical advantage, Alcester scored again with a well worked team try which was finished off by veteran replacement, Phil Birks, to put Alcester 24-15 up at this stage and claim the try bonus point.
The score line remained the same for another 20 minutes, before Jamie Clarke crossed for Alcester’s fifth try and a score which looked to make the game safe for the visitors but Bromsgrove made for a nervy finish with their fourth try to earn themselves both a losing bonus point and a try scoring bonus.
The home side were nearly denied a losing bonus point when Alcester prop Ant Cauvin thought he had scored, but his try was ruled out on the final whistle.
Alcester have a break from league action until 2nd December when they play host to Coventry side, Broadstreet 2nD XV.
