ALCESTER RFC extended their winning run to six matches with a hard fought 11-10 victory against local rivals Claverdon to spoil the home side’s Vice President’s Day.
Mark Burrell scored Alcester’s only try before Ed Gough kicked two penalties to secure a narrow one-point victory at Ossetts Hole Lane.
The result means Alcester remain top of the Counties 2 Midlands West (South) table and are the only side to boast a perfect record after six matches.
And the visitors made the perfect start when Burrell added to his try tally for the season with an early unconverted score in the first five minutes of the game.
However, this would prove to be Alcester’s only try in an intense affair with over 100 guests present to celebrate Claverdon’s Vice President’s Day.
Defences were on top for much of the first period as the Alcester pack held up a Claverdon effort over the line to keep their noses in front.
The home side eventually troubled the scoreboard in the closing stages of the half, with an easy try out on the wing which was converted to send Alcester into the break with a two-point deficit.
A heavy downpour made the ball and surface extremely greasy which led to a host of handling errors from both teams as they tried to add to the scoreboard.
And Alcester were rewarded for some sustained pressure on the Claverdon line when Gough kicked a penalty after the visitors were held up over the line moments earlier.
However, Claverdon regained the lead soon after with a penalty of their own to set up a thrilling final quarter.
And there would be one final score to settle the match as Claverdon were penalised for an infringement right in front of the posts which allowed Gough to slot over the decisive penalty and hand Alcester a crucial one-point lead.
Alcester are next in action at home to Manor Park on Saturday, October 22 with kick-off at 3pm at Kings Coughton whilst Claverdon make the trip to Bromyard’s Clive Richards Sports Ground on the same day and time.
However, Claverdon claimed the second XV bragging rights with a 22-7 victory and raced into a 15-point lead with three unconverted tries.
Despite, Alcester being reduced to 14-men just before the break, the visitors rallied in the second half and shared a converted score with the hosts with Glyn Smith on target for Alcester converted by Tommy Whale.
