RUGBY UNION – Alcester RFC reach Warwickshire Shield final with victory at Newbold-on-Avon

ALCESTER RFC battled to a 33-29 victory away at Newbold-on-Avon to reach the final of the Warwickshire Shield.

Both teams finished as runners-up in their respective division’s at Level Seven on the national structure.

And Alcester made a fast start as prop Ieuan Hopkin powered over from a ruck from close range and Ed Gough converted.

Newbold conceded three early penalties for a series of high tackles after 10 minutes as the home side lost a player to the sin-bin.

Alcester looked to press home their advantage only for Gough to see his penalty attempt drift wide of the posts.

Newbold had another player sent to the sin-bin for a no arms tackle as Max Biltcliffe scored Alcester’s second try which Gough converted.

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The home side responded with a try in the corner with Newbold back to a full complement of players.

However, Alcester scored a third try as Lewis Wright jinked his way through the defence to score and Gough added the extras.

Newbold hit back before half time with a second try as Alcester took an 11-point lead into the break.

And Newbold moved to within one score of Alcester early in the second half after scoring a converted try.

However, Jack Green received a pass on the charge and bulldozed his way over the line to restore Alcester’s lead as Gough converted.

The home side hit straight back with a fourth try only for Wright to score his second try of the game for the visitors in an end-to-end contest.

Newbold scored a late try to reduced the deficit to four points while Alcester had wing James Lampitt sent to the sin-bin for a trip in the final few minutes.

However, the visitors held firm to reach the final of the competition for just the second time in their history and the first time for 29 years.

Alcester face Old Leamingtonians in the final on Sunday, May 10 with kick-off at 3pm at Nuneaton RFC.