Sat 7 Sep 2024
Berkswell and Balsall 7 Alcester 22
Alcester got off to a great start to their league campaign for the new season, with a hard-fought win in Honiley.
Alcester started brightly in the first quarter of the game. After skipper Christian Rushton was held up over the try line, fly half Ed Gough managed to cross it shortly afterwards for the first try, which he converted himself for a 7-0 lead, which ended up being only score of the half.
The home side had their moments, but they were met with a disciplined and well drilled Alcester defence to keep them from scoring.
Early in the second half flanker Jamie Clarke was forced off with an ankle injury, which saw his replacement, Toby Birks, 18-year-old son of club stalwart and DoR, Phil Birks, make his first XV debut.
Shortly afterwards, Alcester’s pressure told again when loose head prop Ieuan Hopkin forced his way for the visitor’s second try to give his side a 12-0 lead.
Alcester were dealt a blow just before the midway point of the half when full back Dwayne Cruickshank was yellow carded to leave his side down to 14 men for 10 minutes.
Undeterred and whilst still down in numbers, Alcester increased their lead when Ed Gough stroked over a penalty to leave the scoreline at 15-0 in his side’s favour.
With Alcester back to their full contingent of players the game entered a feisty phase with a few confrontations between the sides before centre Oscar Holland scored Alcester’s third try which Gough again converted for a 22-0 lead for his side.
The home side continued to offer a threat and they scored a converted try to bring the scoreline to 7-22 before Alcester were once again reduced in numbers, and now for the remainder of the game, when prop Bobby Green was sin binned for a side entry at a ruck.
This was a really good start to the season from Alcester, with a well drilled team performance seeing through. In addition to the debut of Toby Birks, the highlight was the performance of another teenager, Jake Stephens-Smith, operating at open side in this game that and with a man of the match performance.
Alcester 1st XV host Bromsgrove 2nds in another Counties One Midlands West South fixture at Kings Coughton on Saturday 14th September kicking off at 3pm, whilst the 2nd XV make their season bow with a Warwickshire Merit League fixture at Southam.
