Yardley & District 0,

Alcester 43

Alcester Rugby Club travelled to Yardley and District in a hastily arranged fixture and came out easy winners.

Despite long hold-ups on the way to Birmingham, Alcester started with a bang.

Good forward play produced a continuous supply of ball for the backs to exploit.

Within five minutes, the forwards produced the platform for the opening score through centre Ian O'dell.

Minutes later, Matt Gwynn scored near the posts after the ball had passed through seven players. Taff converted.

Alcester continued to dominate in all phases of the game, this domination produced the third try, created by fly half Gwynn through centre Nick Thompson.

Alcester were now leading by 19 points and looked in full control.

In the second quarter, the Alcester captain decided to experiment with some positional changes.

Within a minute, these changes seemed to work when, from a good scrum, Rob Parker broke clear to score a fine individual try, converted by Taff.

At half time Alcester held a commanding 26-point lead.

The second half continued as the first, with Alcester dominating play but unable to breach a more determinated defence.

Controversy came when hooker Val Brookes was the first Alcester man to be sin-binned.

Despite this set back, Alcester continued to produce some fine rugby through the back row of O'Connor, Al Williams and James Doyle - all three producing runs that breached the home defence time and again.

It wasn't long before Alcester added to their score through a second O'dell try.

Alcester ended the game as they started, with two fine tries through Rob Parker and Al Williams, Gwynn converting the former.

Captain Andy Flynn was pleased with the team's performance in all phases of the game, but did comment on the penalty count (around 10:1 in Yardley's favour).

Players to catch the eye were second rows Flynn and Mark Kilbride, with veteran Phil Hale showing he still has the appetite for the game.

On Saturday, Alcester take on Old Wheats (Coventry) in a friendly at King's Coughton, kick off 3.00pm.

Training continues every Tuesday and Thursday, starting 6.30pm.

New and old members are more than welcome.

The ladies too are training every Tuesday at 7pm.

New players are needed so, if you are interested, come along to the club and introduce yourself.

Fixtures

(Home games in capitals

L - League C - Cup)

Sep 02 OLD WHEATS

Sep 09 To be arranged (C)

Sep 16 CLAVERDON (L)

Sep 23 Cov Welsh (L)

Sep 30 EARLSDON (L)

Oct 07 Southam (C)

Oct 14 Manor Park (L)

Oct 21 MARCONIA (L)

Oct 28 Harbury

Nov 04 B'HAM MEDICS (C)

Nov 11 Pinley (L)

Nov 18 COVENTRIANS

Nov 25 RUGBY ST ANDREWS (L)

Dec 02 Essington (C)

Dec 09 Shipston-on-Stour (L)

Dec 16 SPARTONS (L)

Dec 23 Pool match

Dec 26 AGS OLD BOYS

Dec 30 Bloxwich

Jan 06 REDDITCH (C)

Jan 13 Rugby St Andrews (L)

Jan 20 PINLEY (L)

Jan 27 Marconia (L)

Feb 03 Pershore A

Feb 10 MANOR PARK (L)

Feb 17 Upton-upon-Severn

Feb 24 Earlsdon (L/C)

Mar 03 EVESHAM 2

Mar 10 COVENTRY WELSH (L)

Mar 17 Claverdon (L/C)

Mar 24 B'HAM CIVIL SERVICE

Mar 31 Spartans (L)

Apr 07 PERSHORE A

Apr 14 SHIPSTON (L)

Apr 21 Bournville (C)

Apr 28 CHIPPING NORTON