Sat 16 Dec 2023, 14:15
Alcester 2nd XV 27 - 24 Shottery 2nd XV
Alcester 2nd XV started the year as they finished 2023, with a home win against Shottery, but this was a far closer contest than the game in December with the lead changing hands throughout the game and ultimately Alcester coming out on top by a single score.
Shottery started the brightest down the slope, and former Alcester player Ed Benskin, who has made a habit of scoring against Alcester this season, opened the scoring which was converted.
The away side were reduced to 14 men due to a tackler coming from an offside position which saw him earn 10 minutes in the sin bin, which saw Alcester take advantage through Harry Wylie scoring his first try which skipper Luke Spencer converted.
Benskin restored Shottery's lead before they scored their third try following a strong run and several missed tackles to leave the half time score at 7-19 but not before they were reduced to 14 men again due to an infringement at a ruck.
With the slope at their back in the second half, Alcester narrowed Shottery's advantage with scrum-half Harry Roderick scoring following a sniping run. Wylie scored his second try to bring the score to 17-19 before his hattrick score put Alcester in front for the first time.
Shottery hit back with their bonus point try to regain the lead before Spencer rounded off the scoring with the winning try finishing off a backs move that came from Ollie Pittaway's missed pass.
As well as hattrick hero Wylie, there were notable performances from James Bates, debutant Harry Clay and man-of-the-match Paul Guardian (pictured below) who was nominated for his work rate.
