Sat 28 Sep 2024
Alcester 42 - 22 Old Coventrians
Alcester continued their perfect start to the season with a 42-22 victory over Old Coventrians, making it four wins from four in their 24/25 league campaign, helped by a second hattrick in three weeks from winger, Mark Burrell.
The hosts were given the opportunity to take the lead ten minutes in with a penalty kick but the ball bounced back off the uprights. However, minutes later Burrell did put his side in front, opening the scoring out wide, and Ed Gough added the conversion.
Old Coventrians responded with a long-range penalty, but Alcester capitalised on ill-discipline from their opponents, as Gough slotted a penalty following two yellow cards for the opponents for high tackles.
Burrell was in fine form again, scoring two more tries to claim his second hat-trick in just three weeks, and securing Alcester their bonus point. By half-time, Alcester had built a comfortable 30-3 lead, with Jack Green also crossing the whitewash after a brilliant break from man-of-the-match Ieuan Hopkin, and another penalty kick by Gough.
The second half saw Green add his second try of the day, shrugging off several defenders to extend the home side's lead. Although Old Coventrians managed to pull a try back with a breakaway score, Alcester's substitute Alex Chiles added a try in the corner shortly after coming on, making it 42-10.
A late yellow card for Oscar Holland handed Old Coventrians an opportunity, and they took advantage by adding two tries in the closing stages, but it wasn’t enough to trouble the scoreboard significantly, and Alcester secured the win.
The first team have a break in league action next weekend before taking on their biggest task of the year by travelling to Luctonians II who are unbeaten in two seasons.
