Sat 30 Nov 2024
Alcester returned to winning ways to move back to fourth place in the league table, with a hard-fought win in Meriden in a game that was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests. The difference between the sides was Alcester’s clinical backline, who scored all of their side’s six tries with some very well worked scores amongst them.
The home side started well and with their forwards on top in the early exchanges, went ahead inside two minutes through a penalty awarded for a late tackle.
Having been under pressure for the first couple of scrums, the Alcester pack were much more solid from one thirteen minutes into the game and from that set phase and a simple switch move in the centres, full back Owen Binns was set free, having joined the line, and he showed a great turn of speed to glide between two defenders on his way to scoring under the posts, from just inside the Barkers half. Fly half Tom Burgess converted to give his side a 7-3 lead.
Rather than building on that lead, the visitors conceded another penalty for not rolling away at a ruck and the home kicker narrowed the gap to a single point, with his second successful kick, with only a quarter of the game gone.
Play continued to move end to end, and only moments later after a sustained period of possession, the ball was moved quickly from one side of the field to the other to set wing Mark Burrell free and Alcester’s top scorer, added to his try tally for the season, with his side’s second try. Burgess brilliantly converted the try, from near to the touchline.
The home side continued to put pressure on the Alcester defence, but the red and blacks stood firm and with time running out before half time, the visitors increased their lead.
Swift movement of the ball into the centre, found Josh O’Connor who carried strongly and took defenders with him. It was then sent wide to left wing, Alex Chiles, who cut back in on the angle to score under the posts. Burgess again converted to leave the half time at 21-6 in his side’s favour.
The already mirky light further deteriorated at the start of the second half, with Barkers putting their floodlights on at 3.15pm which improved visibility in an even start to the half.
Alcester made changes just before the hour mark with James Lampitt replacing one of the try scorers, Alex Chiles, on the wing, and Pav Sembakuttige replacing Max Biltcliffe.
Barkers made changes too and they got back on top in the game. A driving maul from a line out nearly produced a try for them, before it was collapsed by Alcester, but from the resulting penalty and another line out, one of the home side’s flankers crashed over for his team’s first try.
Will Mitchell came on as a replacement for Louis Smith, as the tiring Alcester pack managed to win and help retain possession for the most sustained period of the second half at that stage. Sembakuttige managed to break the defensive line and show a great turn of pace to go deep into Barkers territory before he was hauled down, and from the resulting turn over, one of the home side’s wingers nearly broke free, for a clear run to the line, only to be stopped by a superb tackle by no 8 Jack Green.
With play inside Alcester territory, the home side were awarded another penalty which they were again successful with to bring the score back to 16-21 and ensure a nervy finish to the game, where the next score would be crucial, entering the final ten minutes.
Fortunately for Alcester they got the score, somewhat against the run of play, when Binns again showed a good turn of pace to finish smartly.
This score visibly deflated the home side and the final minutes of the game belonged to Alcester and to centre Josh O’Connor who scored twice. His first came from a trademark strong hand off to create space for himself before blasting through under the posts. His second after capitalising on some broken play to pick up and power over from just inside the Barkers twenty-two metre line. Burgess converted both tries, to make it five successful kicks from six, for him on the day.
Alcester have all three senior sides in action on Saturday 7th December. The 1st team play their final game in the opening half of the season when they host Worcester at Kings Coughton.
The 2nd XV visit the University of Birmingham Engineers 2nd XV and the 3rd XV play their Leamington counterparts. All games are 2.15pm kick offs.
