Alcester lost out to a converted try in the last play of the game and in an extended injury time period, to lose out at Worcester, after a second half fight back had seen them overcome a 19-7 deficit to lead for the first time in the game going in the closing stages.
Alcester won the reverse fixture comfortably earlier in the season in a game that was curtailed by Storm Daragh on the day, but the two sides have had conflicting fortunes since then with Worcester’s improvement, matched only by Alcester’s struggles in the calendar year so far, as injuries have taken their toll on the red and blacks squad. They were dealt a further blow in the morning before kick off when skipper Christian Rushton had to drop out due to illness, which saw veteran Director of Rugby, Phil Birks drafted into the squad and Morgan O’Dell make his first 1st XV start.
The home side started brightest and were in front with two minutes with a converted try, but Alcester hit back and levelled the scores just before the half hour mark when Oscar Holland scored after powerful work earlier on in the move by both Josh O’Connor and Lewis Wright had put the visitors on the front foot.
Worcester seized control of the game in the remainder of the half to score two further tries and lead 19-7 at the break.
With the visiting pack on top at scrum time, it was a blow to them, early in the second half, when the game went to passive scrums due to home side injuries, although Alcester did have the man advantage for most of the half as Worcester had run out of replacements.
Fly half Ed Gough got the Alcester scoreboard ticking again with a penalty and whilst the home side still posed a threat and came close to adding to their score, the visitors had claimed the ascendancy by now and wing Alex Chiles scored his side’s second try with as speedy finish to close the deficit to 19-15.
Within minutes, Alcester were in front for the first time of the game. No 8 Lewis Wright ran in a brilliant individual score, after a trademark powerful run from range, and Ed Gough added the extras for a 19-22 lead.
Gough came close to extending Alcester’s lead in the closing stages with a long range penalty which fell just short, before the visitors were dealt a blow when Phil Birks was somewhat controversially yellow carded for a high tackle when he was already on his knees trying to stop a player from making progress, who already falling into him.
The injuries that the home side had suffered contributed to ten minutes of injury time and in the very final stages of that period Worcester scored their fourth and bonus point try to claim the victory.
Alcester are back in league action for the final time this season on 5th April when they host Berkswell and Balsall. Their 2nds and 3rds are both away from home on 29th March at Camp Hill and AEI Rugby, respectively.
