PICTURE GALLERY: Alcester v Rugby St Andrews

ALCESTER ripped up the form book as they toppled Midlands 3 West (South) leaders Rugby St Andrews 32-19 in front of a big home crowd on Saturday.

The visitors arrived at King’s Coughton in confident mood, on the back of ten consecutive league wins with promotion firmly in their grasp.

However, the Alcester team were determined not to let club chairman Andy Flynn and his 50 dinner guests witness a poor performance.

The story of most Alcester games begins with them conceding an early try and taking the backfoot and this was also the case here.

Rugby scored a well crafted try, running a great line through the centre of Alcester’s defence to score under the posts.

Alcester were not deterred and it was their attitude and determination spurred on by vocal support that lead them to storm back.

Winger Steve Mason demonstrated his strength and pace to fend off several opponents to score in the corner and keep Alcester within two points of Rugby at the interval.

Powerhouse flanker Lee Avery-Sherwood scored the first try of the second half to put Alcester ahead, a lead that they would not give up.

It was no surprise that Jack Green got himself on the scoreboard yet again and he claimed Alcester’s third try.

Nerves were heightened when Mason received a yellow card for retaliation, which left Alcester with 14 men and only a slight lead. Avery-Sherwood was forced to leave the pitch with a blood injury.

Rugby were unable to capitalise with the extra player and no advances were made during the sin-bin period.

When Alcester were back to a full team they were able to extend their lead.

Max Biltcliffe kicked the ball cross-field and it failed to safely make it to the hands of its receiver, but luckily, Phil Birks was there to gather the ball quickly and score Alcester’s fourth try.

The visitors pulled a try back to make it 20-12, but substitute Jack Kendall forced his way over the whitewash to restore Alcester’s advantage.

Birks scored again and Biltcliffe was able to slot over the only Alcester conversion in the game.

Rugby did score a consolation try, but this day was Alcester’s and coach, Keith Beech, said: “The win was well deserved by a squad of players who were simply outstanding and on top of their form.”

Meanwhile, Alcester 2nds were unlucky in their fixture against Old Laurentians, where they lost out to a last-minute converted try in a 26-24 defeat.

Glyn Smith, Elliot Evans, Jake Grainger and Jacob Turner were Alcester’s try scorers with Smith and Luke Spencer kicking one conversion each.

Old Laurentians scored in the last minute to make the scores level, but a successful conversion clinched victory for the home team.

Both teams return to action on 7 April when they both make the trip to Shipston.