Alcester 45 Claverdon 19

Alcester started the new season with a resounding win over their local rivals at a friendly in King's Coughton.

Despite being 30 points down inside half an hour, Claverdon never let their heads drop and in the end brought some deserved respectability to the score line.

Alcester's preparations were dealt a double late blow, when both centres cried off, forcing Alcester skipper Pat Lamb into an eleventh hour reshuffle, which saw occasional player, Dave Baker, normally a back row forward, play out of position. Baker had a sound game and didn't look at all out of place, particularly in his defensive work.

Playing down the slope and with the breeze at their backs Alcester ran in four tries inside the first 30 minutes. The conditions of course helped, but the main platform was the pack's total domination of the scrum and the majority of the line out ball, which restricted the visitors back line to only scraps of possession.

Alcester's first try came through fly half Andy Smith, who reacted quickest to a trade mark chip over the defence, by Chris Hall. Hall, operating at scrum half, helped himself to the second try, before prop Steve Lunn crashed over from a line out, after skipper Lamb had taken a towering catch to allow his pack to drive on.

Hall again was the provider for Alcester's final try of the half, through last year's player of the season Nick O'Connor who was following up in support. Alcester kicker Tom Heneghan was on top form, converting all of his kicks in the afternoon, which included six tries and a penalty, for a personal points tally of 15.

Claverdon got their score board moving just before half time, making the most of poor tackling in the Alcester defence to cross the line.

Alcester now turn their attentions to the start of their league campaign, with next week's visit to newly promoted Coventry Tech, and will go full of confidence, knowing that there are still a few players to return to bolster the ranks, who on this showing will have to really fight for their 1st XV place.

l Alcester Rugby Club's youth section, aged six to 16, will meet every Sunday at Birmingham Road from 10.30 to noon. All players are welcome, including girls, aged up to 11.