Alcester 3 Coventry Dunlop 15

For the second time in three weeks, Alcester ran high-fliers Dunlop close and were unlucky not to get something out of a game they dominated for the final half-hour.

Both sides signalled their intent with some aggressive tackling and competitive rucking early on.

Although the first half was an entertaining one, clear openings were few and far between.

Dunlop elected to kick their first penalty within range and this looked likely to be the only score of a tight first.

But they added to their tally on the stroke of half-time when the referee failed to spot a crooked-looking throw from Dunlop's hooker and the ball was worked to the left winger who went over in the corner.

Turning around with the slope, Alcester got off to the worst possible start conceding another try in the opening minutes to put the visitors 15-0 ahead thanks to a successful conversion.

With 30 minutes to go, the King's Coughton side raised their game confident that they could still get back into the match.

The Alcester front row stole several strikes against the head and the backs enjoyed plenty of possession. But their hopes were hindered when scrum-half Ollie Chester pulled his hamstring while centre Brett Allard was forced off with a back injury.

Dunlop conceded several penalties in quick succession, two of which were within centre Mike Conway's range and although he converted the first, he pulled the second wide.

Late on, Sam Vernon almost went in for a try for Alcester but was held up over the line as the visitors put up a strong defence.