ALCESTER triumphed 11-8 in their top-of-the-table clash against second placed Shipston on Saturday.

Alan Williams' men inflicted only the second league defeat of the season on the high-fliers after a last minute Tom Heneghan penalty.

The Kings Coughton club slipped to fourth on points difference behind Spartans but can swap places with them with a win at their place on Saturday by more than four points (ko 2.15pm).

Elsewhere Manor Park lost to Stoke OB to dent their hopes but unbeaten Marconi marched on with a 18-5 win over lowly Standard and Spartans beat Rugby SA 22-8.