Sat 28 Sep 2024
Following the nine try victory over Old Leams last week the boys would be full of confidence for today's fixture.
Albeit, only four weeks into the league season, it was a top of the table contest and the significant support travelled to Alcester with expectancy, yet realism.
Alcester would triumph with six tries, with OC’s responding with three. The final score was 42-22 and the game was full of exciting moments and terrific performances from everyone. However, we again, suffered on penalty count where today's referee produced his yellow card against OC’s on a couple of occasions for high tackles where there was, apparently, no mitigation. We were reduced to 13 men for around ten minutes. Alcester capitalised on this advantage.
However. So much pride can be taken from this performance. The set piece was solid despite the considerable weight advantage of the Alcester pack. The defensive tackling was immense and there were sparkling moments of footwork and support which created our scoring opportunities.
Today's encounter was notable for a couple of things. Josh James and younger brother Kieren (JJ and KJ) both started on opposite wings, which I believe was the first occasion. Proud mum today.
Also, James Mackintosh came on at No.10. Seventeen years old and he marked his debut with a wonderful break to run half the length of the field and score.
We kicked off and Aaron Tollley put in a great tackle on the Alcester receiver. We move the ball about for a few minutes and Chat Senavirathne put in some useful attacking kicks. But we conceded penalties in the tackle. James Calloway, Paul Wilkes and Aaron put in some terrific tackles. Alcester miss a penalty on 10 minutes but soon after, from a lineout, they initially drive through the middle, then move it wide to the right for a converted score.
7-0 after 13 minutes.
Soon after the restart we get a penalty just inside the Alcester half and Chat gets us on the score sheet.
7-3 after 17 minutes.
Alcester have two talented huge props. The No1. would be a source of many Alcester moves today. After a forward drive we see yellow and Alcester move further ahead with a penalty.
10-3. after 20 minutes.
Jordan Diston is on now for an injured Jake Elvidge. No sooner is he on, he's off. He is the victim of a series of high tackles as a judged by today's referee.
So, down to 13 men and Alcester capitalise. The No,1 prop is tough to control and from a run down the middle, Alcester swing it right and cross for an unconverted try.
15-3 after 24 minutes
Almost immediately No.1 is at it again and the move finishes with a converted try.
22-3 after 26minutes
3 minutes later a good forward carry by Alcester allows them to cross on the right.
27-3 after 29 minutes
It's difficult to compete with men in the bin.
We are back to 15 men now but Alcester move further ahead with another penalty.
30-3
We end the half with some enterprise. We win a scrum. Tom Baker and Tom Houston, in the front row, have done a great job today. Jordan takes a pass at pace and makes ground to the Alcester 22. Emosi Nabakeke follows up with some elusive footwork, but the first half comes to an end.
We managed to keep men on the field in the second-half and we played some good rugby. Skipper Sam Miles is at the thick of it. Chat and JJ combined well on the right. But Alcester have it again and it just takes one missed tackle and they move further ahead with a try between the posts.
37-3 6 minutes into the second half.
James Mackintosh is on now at No.10 and Chat moves to centre. Alcester are close again with a line out on the left 10 metres out but Paul Wilkes robs it. Some end to end stuff. Defence is terrific. We’re on half way and from a scrum James Mackintosh has it. He's showing real maturity and confidence at 17 years old. He goes for the break, eludes the tackle and runs half the pitch to score between the posts.
37-10 after 20 minutes into the second half.
OC’s seem inspired by this score but our revival is halted where our kick ahead is retrieved by the Alcester No.15 who dances his way through to feed the right wing for a try.
42-10 after 23 minutes of the second half
We continue our pressure. Emosi and Aaron make ground. We get a line out 10 metres out on the right. Paul Wilkes and Aaron get close. Now it's a scrum. Alcester see a yellow card and we have the penalty. A good controlled pick and take gives young Dan Anderson the opportunity to pick up and score on the right. Dan is having a great start to his first season in the senior ranks.
42-15 after 39 minutes of the second period.
Time is running out but we still hope.
Elliot Sheepy retrieves from the kick off and feeds Emosi and his footwork and pace bemuse the Alcester defence and he races over for a converted try
Final score 42-22.
Great determination from the boys today.
The games so far this season have been significantly affected by referee’s endeavours to achieve player safety.
The vast majority of high tackles are definitely not intentional.
In a split second the referee is expected to compute and apply potential mitigations for the “high tackle”
It’s a difficult task to decide retrospectively whether the attacker changed his height or direction or …
I believe there is a level of inconsistency which hopefully will resolve itself as the season continues.
