A try right at the death by replacement prop Dev Jacobs, his first in Alcester colours, was enough for Alcester to snatch victory in this game, and with it secure a second placed finish in division, their highest ever position in the league structure.
On a firm surface and in weather conditions more suitable for the cricket season, the two sides cancelled each other out in the opening quarter, before the home side scored first when their scrum half made a quick dart from the base of the scrum to cross the try line.
Alcester’s play lacked its usual cohesion and it took until the stroke of half time for them to put their first points on the board when following several forwards drives from the base of rucks deep inside OL’s territory, the ball was eventually moved wide and Josh O’Connor powered over the line for a try which was converted by skipper Ed Gough for a 7-5 lead at the break.
The home side regained the lead with their second try, five minutes into the second half, before they were reduced to fourteen players when a yellow card was brandished by the referee for a high tackle. Alcester took full advantage when Jack Green emulated his half brother’s earlier powerful finish with the visitor’s second score. Gough again converted to put his side 14-10 in front.
When the home side numbers were restored, it was Alcester’s turn to play ten minutes with a man down, when Jack Green saw yellow for a high tackle. Just before the end of the sin bin period, OL’s regained the lead with another try, which was improved by their first successful conversion of the game.
Within ten minutes, the visitors were back in front when Jamie Harland crossed for their third try after a powerful run by prop Ieuan Hopkin had put Alcester on the front foot. Gough again converted for a 21-17 lead.
With time running out in this topsy turvy game, and with lead changing hands for a seventh time in the game, Old Leamingtonians look to have won it when they scored their fourth and bonus point try, to lead 24-21. With time running out and with the home players looking to run the clock down and regularly asking the referee how long was left, the match official eventually lost patience with them, sent one to the sin bin and awarded a penalty to Alcester, which led to the winning score.
With the league campaign over, Alcester turn their attention to the Warwickshire Shield Semi Final fixture at Newbold on Avon on Saturday 2nd May, with Old Leamingtonians awaiting the winner in the final. The semi-final kicks off at 2pm.
