Sat 17 Oct 2026
Alcester 7 Ledbury 40
An understrength Alcester side lost out to the early season joint league leaders. Missing last season’s top try scorer Jamie Harland and scrum half Rich Udall, Alcester were forced to reshuffle which saw Lewis Walker deputise at scrum half and the returning Archie Beddard come in for his 1st XV debut at full back.
The visitors started brightly and scored in the fourth minute of the game with a try between the posts, allowing a straight forward conversion, before they doubled their lead midway through the half with a second converted try.
The visitors continued to press and after being held up over the line in the hunt for their third try, they did score again shortly afterwards to take a 21-0 lead into the break.
The home side’s plight was not helped by injuries to prop Dev Jacobs and second row Ethan Moll, both of whom were forced off before the break. The injuries meant that 17 year old Zak Stephens came on for his 1st XV debut, just a week after making his first senior start for the 2nd XV. Stephens gave a committed display, full of promise for what will hopefully be a long 1st XV career for the club, and was named man of the match by skipper Ieuan Hopkin.
For all of Alcester’s endeavour though, they struggled for possession, as the line out in particular was having an off day.
Ledbury added their bonus point score, ten minutes into the second half before the home side enjoyed their best spell of the game and centre Josh O’Connor forced his way over, which Beddard converted well to bring the score to 28-7 to the visitors.
Ledbury added a fifth converted try, before Alcester had more injury woes when another forward, Toby Birks, was forced off, which saw the home side down to fourteen players and the game forced to go to uncontested scrums.
The visitors scored again in the closing stages to give the scoreline the comprehensive look that their domination deserved.
Alcester travel to another unbeaten side, Earlsdon, on Saturday for a 3pm kick off. The Coventry based club lie third in the table by virtue of having secured one less bonus point than joint leaders Stratford and Ledbury.
