ALCESTER put the disappointment of Junior Vase defeat to lower league Tenbury behind them with a narrow win to keep their Powergen Warwickshire One hopes alive.

Defeat to early leaders Manor Park, followed by the cup shock, dented a promising league start of four straight wins for the Kings Coughton side but a one point win at home to Dunlop on Saturday kept Pat Lamb's team a point behind the leaders.

Manor Park were held to a 7-7 draw at third placed Trinity Guild, who Alcester visit on Saturday (ko 3pm).

The result means Alcester can keep the championship in their sights with the return game against Manor Park to come.

But Lamb's side will have their strength tested at the weekend.

Trinity Guild have a game in hand on the two sides above them and can go joint top if they can achieve a notable double by drawing with the leaders and beating second placed Alcester.

Lamb is on holiday for a fortnight and will be replaced as first team captain by Andy Flynn on Saturday.

Openside flanker Nick O'Connor is available after a badly cut lip and Robbie Parker hopes to return after knee trouble to a side already strengthened by the return to action of Andy Taylor against Dunlop.