Alcester RFC

Alcester rounded off an impressive first season at their highest level, with a victory over Old Leamingtonians, completing the double of their opponents in the process.

After wins against Leamington, Evesham and Droitwich this season, clubs of whom were once out of reach for Alcester, they capped it off with arguably their best performance of the season in front of a large Kings Coughton crowd.

Playing up the slope and against the stiff breeze in the first half, the home side took the lead through a try for utility player, Jamie Clarke, operating on the left wing.

After an even remainder of the first quarter, Christian Rushton extended Alcester's lead by racing in after Jack Green had intercepted his opponents pass. Ed Gough converted which was the final score of the first half, 12-0.

Despite the visitor's pack being on top at the scrum, the second half continued with Alcester in the ascendency in possession, and captain, Will Silk, scored his side's third try after full back Dwayne Cruickshank had run from the half way line only to be tackled just short of the whitewash. Gough again converted.

Right wing, Mark Burrell, scored Alcester's try of the game after a lovely flowing move, securing his side's bonus point try and putting them 24-0 in front.

Will Gough thought he'd scored his side's fifth try but play was pulled back because of a forward pass, before moments later his brother went one better, and Ed Gough crossed the line to make it 29-0.

Another forward pass saw Burrell's second try ruled out before Alcester were reduced to 14 men when Cruickshank was yellow carded somewhat harshly as the referee alleged he had led with his elbow into a tackle.

Whilst Alcester were still reduced in numbers, a well worked move saw Clarke crash through on the reverse angle, and Gough added the extras, before man-of-the-match Clarke completed his hattrick thanks to another assist from Cruickshank who was now back on the pitch.

Alcester would have settled for 6^th place in the league when the campaign started and they can now look forward to the new season with renewed confidence.