Alcester 42, Wellesbourne 0

ALCESTER emphatically claimed local bragging rights in a top of the table derby clash in the Midlands Division Four West (South).

The Kings Coughton outfit ran in eight tries and were flawless in defence, in not conceding a single point.

From the first whistle the home side seized control of the match and it wasn’t long before their first try which was scored by teenager Sam Smith, with the try converted by his half back partner Glyn Smith.

Three further first half touch downs were scored, all by the Alcester back line.

The first of those from winger Ed Benskin, followed up by scores from Ryan Clark and Andy Conway which meant that at half time it was 22-0 to the home side.

Despite going up the hill in the second half, Alcester continued to dominate.

The pack was in fine form, with man of the match Tom Harris the pick of a very impressive bunch.

The visitors struggled to cope with the pressure and then things went from bad to worse for Wellesbourne when they went down to 14 men after the referee showed a red card for dangerous use of the boot at the ruck.

Four more tries followed in the second half. Smith and Clark each grabbed a second for themselves, while Smith and veteran back rower Nick O’Connor, on for a cameo appearance towards the end of the game, completed the scoring.

This was an important victory over one of Alcester’s promotion rivals, and the team’s seventh league win in a row.

They are now at the mid-point of the league season, having only been beaten once, by leaders Birmingham Civil Service, against whom their next league fixture is on Saturday, January 10 at King’s Coughton.

Alcester’s annual Boxing Day fixture takes place on Friday at King’s Coughton from 11am, when President Courtney Wells’ XV will take on Chairman Peter Goddard’s side.

People old and new are welcome to come and join in the fun both on and off the field.

Meanwhile, the seconds lost 24-14 to Edwardians.

A threadbare King’s Coughton men gave an extremely good account of themselves, which led to a keenly fought game and a victory by four tries to two for the home side.

Alcester scored twice through Dom Evans and a penalty try, which the referee awarded after the home side failed to retreat the ten metres quick enough from a short range penalty. This came from a tap and go from the ever alert Robbie Parker.

Veteran Paul Taylor, converted both scores.