Sat 27 Jan 2024
Alcester 1st XV 19 - 29 Ledbury
Alcester lost out to second placed Ledbury at the weekend but will reflect on what was a missed opportunity as although they were in contention of the game they didn't perform to their best.
Playing down the slope in the first half, the Ledbury pack showed early domination at scrum and maul and they scored their first try after only three minutes following a catch and drive at a line out.
Alcester hit straight back after a mistake from their opponents at the restart was capitalised on. Wing, Oscar Holland, made good ground and the ball was recycled to centre Jack Green to crash over.
Ledbury restored their advantage with a second try after only ten minutes when following another strong scrum the ball was moved to their winger to score in the corner for a 5-14 lead.
The home side were dealt another blow when fly half Ed Gough was sin binned for dissent and during his absence Ledbury added a third try out wide. They nearly added a fourth before the break but their winger knocked the ball on in the act of scoring and the visitors led 19-5 at half time.
In the early stages of the second half, Alcester scored what has been a trade mark try of the last few seasons. After a sustained period of pressure the ball was moved to the midfield for Green to take it at pace and crash through several tackles to score under the post, Gough converted to bring the score to 12-19, in Ledbury's favour.
In what was very much the theme for the day Alcester let Ledbury straight back into the game when from the restart some half hearted defense let the Ledbury backrow forward through for their bonus point try.
Alcester enjoyed their best period of possession and territory in the game and the visitors were reduced to 14 men after one of their players was yellow carded for persistent infringement from his team. Whilst Alcester had a man advantage, Lewis Wright crashed over for his side's third try which Gough converted to bring the score to 19-24.
Before Ledbury were restored to their full compliment of players, Alcester were also reduced to 14 men when replacement lock Nigel Burrows was yellow carded for infringement at a ruck. During this time Ledbury increased their lead showing good hands through their backs, for their fifth try of the afternoon.
Alcester kept pressing and Green thought he'd scored his hattrick try when he raced through from just inside the Ledbury half beating several defenders on his run, only to have been adjudged to have knocked on in the process of scoring.
Ledbury held out to claim the win, and Alcester face another tough fixture next week when they visit the league leaders Luctonians.
