Alcester overcame their previously unbeaten opponents by a narrow margin, for the second season running.

This season's match, however, was played at a much higher standard than last year's scrappy Powergen Vase encounter and was far more entertaining than the score line suggests.

The visitors demonstrated why they are the current North Midlands Three leaders and although they were mostly on the back foot in this tight game, they had several chances on the break to have won the match, and spent the last five minutes camped in Alcester's 22.

Alcester started with several changes to the side that won at Pershore the previous week and despite having the advantage of playing down the slope in the first half, took time to adjust.

The game did settle quickly into a pattern however, with the more experienced home front five having the better of the tight play, and the visitors younger, more agile side using the dry conditions to their full advantage, to keep their open and running game going.

Both defences were on top in the first half, with Alcester's best chance coming from a superb backline move, which saw right wing Owen Phillips break the visitors line at a good angle, and take a scissors pass from fly half Andy Smith in midfield, only to be held up just short of the line. Shortly afterwards Tom Heneghan dragged his only penalty opportunity of the game wide of the upright after the visitors strayed offside at a ruck.

Just before the break Harborne had their best chance, when a sweeping, flowing backline move, ended only when their full back was hauled down by a superb tackle by Alcester centre John Dover, just as it looked as he was going to score.

Alcester replaced wing Gary Gilkes with Luke Tarling at half time, and shortly after the break, were forced into a major reshuffle, when fly half Smith left the field with a thigh injury, to be replaced by veteran prop Dave Hemming.

The move saw stand in flanker Brett Allard return to his normal centre berth, and man of the match Mark Kitchen, move from loose head to blind side flanker.

The changes seemed to spur Alcester on, and their front five totally dominated the set phases of the game throughout the half.

This put tremendous pressure on the visitors.

For everything Alcester through at the visitors, they were unable to get through, where a combination of wrong attacking options, poor handling and above all superb Harborne defence, kept Alcester at bay.

Alcester president Mike Edwards played his part, standing in to referee the game, owing to a late cry off. He did so to his usual very high standard, his performance earning praise from both sides.

n Alcester are trying to re-arrange their cup game with Saracens on Sunday. Contact the club on 01789 764061 for more information.