Alcester 5 Kings Norton 5

HONOURS were shared in a typically competitive local derby played at a foggy King's Coughton.

Alcester president Mike Edwards entertained nearly 70 guests at his annual lunch before the game but the awful conditions meant the match was nearly cancelled.

Both sides featured changes and the disruption in personnel meant Alcester struggled for rhythm early on, particularly up front where the pack were on the back foot for much of the opening period.

Playing up the slope, Alcester were pinned back in their own half for long spells and only resolute and sometimes desperate defence prevented the visitors from taking the lead.

Kings Norton did cross the line midway through the half but they were held up in the in goal area and the Alcester forwards did well to shunt the ensuing maul back over the five-metre line to prevent the score.

The home side's frustrations at making little impact in the game were evident when stand in hooker James Daffern was yellow carded for stamping. And while Alcester were down to 14 men, the visitors took a 40th minute lead when Ken Whitehouse crossed despite claims that he had put a foot in touch.

Veteran prop Dave Hemming joined the fray for the second half and his presence stabilised the scrum. And when Daffern returned, Alcester began to get on top.

When Kings no 8 Mark Waudby was sin binned for a late shoulder charge, the home side pressed forward and after a couple of near misses, they finally got the score they deserved. Centre Owen Phillips ran straight and hard at the Norton defence and when he was stopped he stayed on his feet and was driven near the line by his pack. As the visitors threw men at the maul to halt the progress, this left gaps out wide and scrum half Scott Carmichael spun the ball wide for Matt Watts to finish off the move.

Tempers threatened to boil over in the closing stages and Alcester's Keith Beech became the third player to receive a yellow card.

Both sides tried in vain to win the game but, as the fog thickened, a draw was probably the fair result.

Alcester are in friendly action again on Saturday when they head to last year's Warwickshire One champions Harbury.

Kings Norton also have a friendly when they play host to Old Yardleians (ko 2.30 pm).

n Alcester 2nds were crushed 41-0 at Bromsgrove 4ths while Kings Norton 2nds were well beaten 37-5 by Bournville at Ash Lane.

n Alcester u13s played host to Shipston and the visitors were soon on top, touching down on the left wing to open the scoring.

A second try quickly followed and Shipston then ran in two more thanks to their secret weapon - the attacking chip kick.

The visitors continued to dominate after the break and soon added to their 24-0 interval lead, fluent running and passing moves leading to further tries.

Alcester started to dominate in the scrum but it came too late to deny Shipston a 48-0 victory.

Alcester's man of the match was awarded to the player making the most tackles, Spencer Lunn.

After an excellent five-win start to the season, Alcester's progress has hit a rough patch with two consecutive defeats.