ALCESTER slumped to a shock defeat at lowly Rugby St Andrews on Saturday leaving captain Alan Williams mystified.

The Warwickshire One side were handily placed at the start of the day but with leaders Marconi maintaining their 100 per cent start to the season and Shipston and Manor Park winning, Alcester are six points behind the leaders.

And with the club having already lost to Marconi, Alcester have to win the return match and hope their rivals lose at least two more matches before the end of the season.

Williams is set to mix things up for the visit of league rivals Spartans in the Warwickshire Shield on Sunday (ko 2.15pm).

Scrum half Robbie Parker, fly half Mat Gwyn and inside centre Chris Hall are unavailable.