Rugby: Friendly

Alcester 0

Tewkesbury 32

AN Alcester side featuring five changes from the one that claimed their first win of the season last week, started up the slope.

The King's Coughton side started well enough and were soon on top, particularly in the tight, where they dominated scrums and won at least their share in the line-out.

Despite possession and territorial advantage, they didn't threaten the visitors' line, until from a Tewkesbury put-in at a scrum deep inside the visitors' twenty two, the Alcester pack got the shunt on.

But the ball shot out the back on the retreating visitors' side and was gathered by their number eight, who had the time and space to run unchallenged for forty yards before his backs joined in to score a converted try.

The visitors added a penalty, before both sides were temporarily reduced to fourteen men, when the visiting number eight was yellow carded for foul play, and Alcester lock Andy Flynn joined him in the sin bin for retaliation.

Alcester continued to dominate but when both sides were returned to full strength shortly before half time, Tewkesbury added a second converted try, again against the run of play.

Down the slope, Alcester regained the ascendancy dominating the tight and spent a long period camped on the visitors' line.

Both sides returned temporarily to fourteen after more Alcester retaliation to foul play, led to home prop Matt Bolton being sin binned.

Tewkesbury held out and defended resolutely, before poor tackling in the home defence led to a third score.

Alcester heads went down and Tewkesbury ran in two further tries, the second, straight from the restart after the earlier score.

Alcester will hope for a change of fortunes when they return to league action at newly relegated Southam on Saturday.

l Alcester Seconds crashed 83-0 at Pershore.