Sat 8 Mar 2025
Alcester 1st XV 38 – 34 Barkers Butts
A last gasp try from Jamie Clarke, his second of the game, ensured Alcester secured their first win in six games against Barkers Butts.
Alcester, playing down the slope in the first half, were two tries up after 12 minutes, the first coming through Will Silk after good work between Owen Binns and Lewis Wright. The second was a smart finish from wing James Lampitt following a lovely jinking run by fly-half Ed Gough. Gough converted both tries.
The visitors enjoyed their best period of the half, a 15 minutes in, and they had a try ruled out for a knock on in the act of scoring.
The remainder of the half was fairly even with the most notable situation being a try saving tackle from Binns following a breakaway run from a Barkers Butts’ player.
Turning around 14-0 up, Alcester added to their lead in the second half through Lampitt’s second try but within five minutes, the visitors had their first score after missed tackles out wide and minutes later they had scored again to bring the score to 19-12.
Midway through the second half, Barkers’ levelled the scores after a strong driving maul from the 22 metre line couldn’t be stopped.
More questionable defence from Alcester allowed Barkers’ to claim their bonus point score and to claim the lead for the first time in the game.
Two minutes later, flanker Jamie Clarke levelled the scores once again, bouncing through several tackles on his way to the line. Gough converted to give his side the lead 26-24.
Silk scored his second of the game with a brilliant finish after he took a loose high ball just inside his half and out sprinted his defence to score from distance, but, the visitors hit straight back with another catch and drive try to bring things level again.
Inside the last five minutes of the game, Wright was yellow carded for a high tackle and moments later, in a separate incident, the visitors were awarded a penalty which they kicked to put them back in front with only a couple of minutes left on the clock.
To Alcester’s credit and despite being a man down, they took play back up field and after a period of pressure, Clarke scored his second try which was converted by Gough and signalled the final act of the game.
Amongst several notable performances, the displays of veteran Director of Rugby, Phil Birks, and his 17-year-old son, Noah, playing at inside centre, stood out.
Alcester have a rest week before returning to action on 22nd March when they visit Worcester for their final away game of the season.
