Alchester RUFC

Match Report
Marlborough (9) v Alchester (10)
Alchester just managed the narrowest of wins against bottom of the league Marlborough in a very scrappy game that saw neither side playing with any real fluidity or control. Alchester backs especially seemed to find it difficult to hit their usual confident form.
Things started well for the visitors as Marlborough were panelised for off side from the kick off, but centre Tom Miles’ usually reliable boot missed a relatively easy kick, scuffing the ball well left of the uprights.
This seemed to set the tone of the first 40, as Alchester enjoyed most of the territory and possession but were unable to come away with any points. Several promising attacking moves being halted by errors or the giving away of penalties.
Marlborough finally opened the scoring with a well struck drop goal from 20 metres after a lineout on the Alchester 22.
Half time saw no further scores being added.
The second 40 continued to be error strewn, although Marlborough began to get far more possession and territory than in the first half. Both sides trying to string the phases together but making little real progress.
It was not until the 60 minute mark that another penalty to the hosts put them 6 points clear, and another penalty in almost the same spot 2 minutes later put the Marlborough 9 points to the good.
Finally in the last 10 minutes Alchester managed to put some coherent play together with two tries from back row players. The first coming from flanker Matt Flegg after an Alchester attack down the right broke through the defence 5 metres out. Miles was however unable to make the conversion from out on the touchline. The second try come from Lou Bryne with a very similar break on the right wing, Bryne crashing over the line with the help of several team mates. Again Miles was unable to convert, the ball bouncing off the left hand post.
Alchester managed somehow to keep play in Marlborough half in the final five minutes to take the win.
The 2nd XV also won a close game against Gove 2nds (12-5) to make it 5 wins out of 5, taking them to second place in the league, one point behind Bicester 2nds with 2 games in hand.