Alcester 7 Southam 24

ALCESTER slipped to defeat at a chilly King's Coughton against a well drilled side who, on this showing, could still figure in the title race.

Southam started with the slope in their favour but their territorial advantage was met by stern defence by the home side.

The Alcester front five, who have been dominant in the scrums against most opposition this season, were having some of their own treatment dished out by the visitors and scrum-half Scott Carmichael had to cope with at best, scrappy ball behind a retreating pack.

It was no great surprise when the visitors took the lead, although their fly half was afforded the freedom of King's Coughton as he blazed past several half-hearted tackles on his way to score under the posts.

As Southam continued their domination up front, Alcester were forced into desperate defence to keep their visitors at bay but were powerless to stop the visiting no 8 from adding to his side's try tally five minutes before the break.

It looked as though Alcester would end the half scoreless but, with just seconds remaining before the interval, Carmichael elected to run a penalty. Prop Matt Bolton went on a bullocking burst before Carmichael fed centre Dan Parr whose grubber kick bobbled over the line allowing winger Sam Vernon to touch down. Andy Smith's fine conversion ensured the home side trailed just 12-7 at the break.

But any hopes of further closing the gap at the start of the second half were dashed when Southam scored a third try following a jinking run from their full-back.

Alcester shuffled their pack introducing fit-again tight head Steve Lunn after a two-week injury lay-off. With Bolton returning to his favoured loose head berth, the home scrum had a more solid feel and the visitors were suddenly on the back foot.

Alcester kept play inside the visitors' territory for long periods but were unable to find a way through stern defence.

With time running out and the home side taking risks in a vain attempt to get back into the game, a loose box kick from the back of a ruck was charged down in the Alcester half and the visitors collected the stray ball to kill the game off with a score in the corner.

The home side were also down to 14 men by now after try scorer Parr had been sent to the sin bin. A number of players were also carrying injuries but all the substitutes had been used.

Southam were probably the best side to visit King's Coughton this season so Alcester can take heart from their display.

And it should hold them in good stead ahead of Sunday's clash with visitors Dunlop in the quarter-finals of the Warwickshire Shield (ko 2.15pm).