Alcester 13, Spartans 16

Alcester just failed to cause a major upset when they were edged out by the unbeaten league leaders and champions elect.

Alcester fell behind early on as the visitors exploited gaps in the home defence to the full to cross the line for the game's first try.

Alcester were caught by surprise at the strength of the visiting front five, who they had shunted around in the first meeting of the two sides earlier in the season.

This time it was the home unit who were in retreat for much of the match forcing home skipper Nick O'Connor at number 8 and scrum half Ollie Chester to scrap for ball.

The visitors were on top for much of the opening period but Alcester did bag their first points with a penalty from full back Matt Gwynn.

A Spartans penalty restored the visitors' five-point advantage and they added to their tally soon after when a line-out five metres out saw the North Warwickshire side drive over for their second try.

With half-time approaching Alcester were handed a lifeline. Sam Vernon reacted sharpest to hesitation over a loose ball in the Spartans back line and he raced clear before slipping the ball to his centre partner Brett Allard who shrugged off a tackle to score under the posts. Gwynn converted to leave his side 13-10 behind at the break.

Alcester raised their game in the third quarter forcing the visitors to hang on.

Gwynn brought the scores level with another penalty but they found it hard to get through a determined black wall of defence as the Spartans side showed great determination to keep their title charge on track.

Slowly Spartans began to regain the upper hand and regained the lead with a drop goal.

Gwynn was just short with another penalty effort before Spartans powered back in a bid to finish off their hosts.

With one league game remaining, Alcester head a group of three teams tied on ten points hoping to avoid the final confirmed relegation place and the additional likely relegation play off place.

Victory in their final game at mid-table Stoke Old Boys in a fortnight should guarantee their survival.

Alcester are at home to Edwardians on Saturday in a friendly match.