Sat 4 Mar 2023
Southam 22 - 36 Alcester
Alcester emerged victorious from a tense match with Southam on the weekend as their title race continues, securing another bonus point victory 36-22.
The game got off to a fast start with Southam putting their first 7 points on the board within the first five minutes. However, Alcester fought back with a fantastic try that started with a cross field kick by Ed Gough, which was won by Mark Burrell, followed by several more hard fought phases before the ball shipped wide to Harry Wylie, and Gough converted bringing the scores level.
Southam responded with another try, with the fifth place side giving Alcester a run for their money, showing the strength and quality of the teams at the top of the table. In end to end play, Alcester again brought the scores level with great link up play between Burrell and Jamie Clarke that set Burrell free but as he was tackled just short of the line he offloaded back to Clarke to finish the job leaving the scores tied at 12-12 going into halftime.
The second half started off equally as tense with Alcester taking the lead through two quick-fire tries courtesy of Burrell and Jamie Harland with one conversion from Gough. Southam again retaliated but missed their conversion, bringing the scores to within just 7 points, or one converted try, of each other.
However, Alcester powered on towards the finishing line as Burrell added another try, keeping up the momentum of his hattrick performance from the week prior. Another unconverted try by Southam kept them out of reach as Gough sealed the game by scoring and converting his own try.
With two games left in the season, Alcester welcome Tenbury to Kings Coughton next week before the deciding game against Manor Park takes place the week after.
