IT was a tough start to the year for Stratford who faced high-flying Moseley Oak without a number of their more experienced players.
STRATFORD won their final home game of the year with a 29-17 victory over Cheltenham, building on a first minute try.
ALCESTER’S head coach Dave Miles admitted he was pleased with his side’s latest victory in a game cut short by Storm Darragh.
STORM Darragh was the only winner as football matches fell by the wayside on Saturday.
SHIPSTON claimed the bragging rights over rivals Stratford, running in six tries to lift them into the top three of Regional Two Midlands West.
ALCESTER made it five wins from their opening six games with a 27-7 victory over visitors Droitwich.
STRATFORD suffered a heavy 45-8 defeat at the hands of visitors Newent to leave them with just one win from their opening five games.
STRATFORD paid the price for an error-strewn second half as they slipped to a 34-18 defeat at home to Ludlow.
Much-changed Stratford were unable to become the first team to win at Cheltenham in 11 months on Saturday.
LEWIS Mellor stole the headlines by bagging a hat-trick as Stratford secured a 51-7 opening day victory over Ledbury.
STRATFORD’S director of rugby Richard Pepperell admits he is optimistic ahead of the new season which starts on Saturday.
ALCESTER coach Gareth Williams believes there’s plenty more to come from Harry Wright following the youngster’s selection for Gloucester’s academy.
Tight-head prop Tom Stanley will be skipper with Dan Whitby and Jonny Smith as vice-captains.
HARBURY’S dream of a Twickenham cup final was ended when visitors Wigan ran out 18-8 winners in the semi-final of the Papa John’s Community Cup.