Shipston on Stour 32 Alcester 0

Alcester's stranglehold over their local rivals on their own turf, dating back five years came to an abrupt end on Saturday as Shipston comprehensively outplayed their visitors in a final push for the title.

As it happened events in Coventry with Marconi beating Standard, meant already promoted Shipston had to settle for second place, but they ensured Alcester didn't come near claiming an unlikely double over them this season.

In front of a sizeable crowd, bolstered by Shipston's Vice President's day and on a concrete pitch, Alcester's chance came and went in the first ten minutes.

Alcester started brightest, with the visiting scrum well on top, but Shipston number eight Sam Russell, a former Birmingham/Solihull player, set the standard for the afternoon, tidying ball at the back of the scrum behind a retreating front five.

Shipston were soon into their game though and although Alcester retained scrummaging superiority throughout, the hosts had the upper hand in most other areas of play.

Their back row, where Russell and open side Brian Smith were especially prominent, were quickest to second phase and when Alcester did get the ball, possession was often turned over.

When the Alcester backs did get the ball in space, they met a determined black wall defensive line and were unable to break through.

Shipston ran in a total of five tries, although Alcester contested the award of two of them, particularly one in the second half when, racing to contest a kick ahead, which bobbled invitingly over the Alcester line, skipper Alan Williams clearly touched it down ahead of Shipston's Brian Smith.

The referee, some thirty yards behind awarded the try, but by then Alcester were well beaten.