Alchester RUFC

From the kick off Alchester showed their clear intent in this match. Although a penalty kick for gaol for the hosts after only 10 seconds went wide, a try from winger Ieuan Robinson within 2 minutes, after some quick ball through the hands across the width of the pitch gave Robinson space on the left wing to race over in the corner and touch down well in field to give centre Tom Miles an easier conversion.
Slough came back at Alchester strongly, dominating the scrum, their forwards putting the host defence under some concerted pressure. This pressure paid off when, 15 minutes in the Slough forward eventually broke through from close range. The relatively straightforward conversion was missed however.
The remainder of the half saw both sides sharing possession and territory, Slough attempting to attack through midfield, driven by their forwards, Alchester playing a wider game, trying to release the back division to find gaps.
Half time the scores were unchanged at 7-5.
The restart saw Alchester launching attack after attack, earning two penalties, on 42 minutes and 47 minutes, Miles slotting both easily to take the scores to 13 – 5.
The Slough forwards seemed to be tiring a little as Alchester began to match them in the scrum. And the backs began to fire, with the whole division of Blacklock, Miles, Briggs, Robinson and Tyreman using their pace and good passing to open up the Slough defence.
This good work paid dividends on 55 minutes, Slough fumbled a ball that was kicked through as winger Andy Blacklock raced through to ground the ball for the 2nd try. Miles making the conversion.
Blacklock struck again two minutes later as again quick ball and pace beat the defence down the right wing. Miles, however, sent the conversion kick wide.
The final try, on 70 minutes, from centre Jack Briggs came from what is becoming a trademark interception on the halfway line, Briggs rushing up and snatching the ball from a fairly close range pass. Briggs touching down between the uprights, making another simple conversion for Miles.
With the host now out of sight, having notched up 27 unanswered points in the first 30 minutes of the half, Slough were not about to give up. A huge effort from the Slough forwards had them camped inside the Alchester 22 for the remainder of the game, only a solid and very determined Alchester defence prevented a late score.