Earlsdon 1st XV 31 Alcester 1st XV 3

Alcester exited the National cup at the first hurdle against last year's

Warwickshire One champions Earlsdon.

Like the three games against them last

year, Alcester started brightest and could have been nine points clear, but

they only had one of Tom Heneghan's three penalty attempts to show for their

endeavours. Slowly their hosts fought their way back into the game and

scored two quick tries before the break to leave Alcester wondering how

they'd managed to not take more from the opening period.

Earlsdon killed the

game off through two further tries and a penalty in quick succession in the

second half and a big score looked on the cards as the Alcester heads

dropped.

But rallied by skipper Al Williams and thanks to great performances

by his brother Tony and number eight Vince Young and wing Owen Phillips, they held firm and even threatened to score further.