Rugby: Warwickshire One

Alcester 8 Rugby St Andrews 18

ALCESTER now realise they have another relegation battle to contend with after slipping to defeat in a game they dominated for 60 minutes.

Playing up the slope in the first half, Alcester settled into their game well and enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges.

Rugby were always a threat on the break but the home side looked the most likely to score.

Fly half Dan Parr gave his side the lead from a penalty kick but in spite of all their territorial advantage, it seemed as though Alcester would have to settle for just the three points at the break.

But Parr had other ideas and as the ball was moved swiftly across the park, the fly half spotted a gap, broke a tackle and rounded the cover defence for a smart score.

The try meant the King's Coughton side went into the second half with an 8-0 advantage but, as has been the case on so many occasions, they conceded an early score in the second half.

The visitors' full-back spotted that the Alcester defence had come up flat and he dropped a precise kick into the path of his winger who hacked ahead to score.

Rugby levelled with a penalty and they then turned the game around with a second try, punishing some poor defence.

Alcester slowly regained control and replacement Andy Smith struck the upright with a penalty.

The home side camped inside the visitors' '22' and St Andrews had to resort to killing the ball to keep their hosts out prompting a yellow card for their winger.

But even though they were down to 14 men, Rugby stood firm to deny Alcester a way back into the game.

Alcester now have a week's break from league action as they visit Tewkesbury for a friendly on Saturday, hoping to avenge the home defeat they suffered a fortnight ago.

Alcester 2nds were crushed 56-3 by a strong Worcester University side.

The Kings Coughton side arrived with just nine players and even with the generosity of their hosts, they began the match three short.

Alcester's solitary penalty goal came from the ever reliable boot of Darren Gwillym.

Alcester made a winning start to their first game in the Warwickshire 20-20 Tournament, beating Southam 5-0, lock Rich Stanford going over for the game's only try.

It was a busy weekend for Alcester's juniors with a mixed bag of results against sides from Harbury and Redditch.

There were wins for the u16s, u13s, u10s and u7s while the u9s drew their match.

The u14s were beaten despite Vash Dasari bagging a brace of tries.