Earlsdon 13 Alcester 3

Alcester failed to upset the form book in South Coventry but gave a good account of themselves against the runaway leaders.

Without inspirational stand-in skipper Paul Clarke, nursing a niggling knee injury, hooker Dickie Moore became Alcester's fourth captain of the season.

The game will be best remembered for a bizarre refereeing performance by the visiting Somerset official.

Alcester started well but could not gain enough territory to hurt their opponents and paid the price after 15 minutes when Earlsdon scored a disputed opening try after a forward pass.

But within minutes Earlsdon had a perfectly good try disallowed for an alleged knock-on.

The visitors hit back forcing uncharacteristic errors and defending doggedly, particularly centre Owen Phillips.

Alcester managed to hold out until half time to start the second period with the chance of a shock result.

The visitors were rewarded when fly half John Dover converted a penalty despite miskicking the ball which clipped the bar before bouncing over.

Earlsdon were rocked by a series of questionable decisions butthe visitors suffered two hammer blows.

Prop Ian Oliver had to leave the field with a neck injury, and was replaced by Andy Foster before fellow prop Andy John was sin binned for voicing his opinion of the official.

Earlsdon used their man advantage to score an unconverted try to lead 10-3.

Al Williams excelled in the line out for Alcester and winger Martin Sergeant looked dangerous with the ball.

A depleted scrum was having problems but Alcester did well to turn over possession and created their best chance when Dover intelligently spotted a gap in the defence and kicked ahead, and Parker and Nick Thompson were narrowly beaten to the line.

The injury-hit Kings Coughton men lost Phillips to an old hamstring injury and Earlsdon added another penalty as the game petered out into a stalemate.