To Alcester, with fewer boots than feet

Evesham took 21 players, but only 20 pairs of boots (you know who you are), to the former Roman Fort town of Alcester on Sunday to meet a side of 10. With sunshine, a big pitch and lots of muddy potential it was quickly agreed to play a 3 way mini tournament to maximise the opportunity for all.

Game 1 – Evesham Blues v Alcester
No kit clashes for our first competitive game since 8th December with Alcester playing in bright red.

Both sides were pretty evenly matched with a similar range of sizes and equal appetite for running with ball in hand. Excellent scrum half duties from Aimee, a strong tackling Blues defence would have been complemented by more commitment at the ruck, something for the training ground. Never the less, an enjoyable 10 minutes each way saw it finish Evesham 3 (Max Arris, Will Brett, Aimee Tipping-Lane) : Alcester 1

Game 2 – Evesham Blues v Evesham Maroons
Ten a side this time and with Evesham hot favourites to get a win, there was no love lost between club mates in different shirts, we even (unintentionally) put siblings Josh and Aimee in opposition which added some extra spice.

Blues and Maroons are designed to be equal, and so it proved for the most part, the individual match ups in attack and defence were largely predictable - the downside of playing such familiar faces. With determination from both sides it ended Blues 2 (Jack Sanger-Davis and any one of the 8 man tangle of blue shirts that crossed the line with the ball concealed within) : Maroons 4 (Oli Wycherley 3, Tom Stone 1). Hamish and Archie, the Blues missed you.

Game 3 – Evesham Maroons v Alcester
A rested 9 man Alcester side took to the field to face Maroons for the last match of the day.

Both clubs saved the best display of rugby until the end, the first half was end to end stuff, Oli Wycherley ran the length of the pitch to make a crowd pleasing tackle just before the line to save a try, Jake Hopkins ran ¾ of the pitch on a break to score and in the second half James Hoare and Tom Stone both lit the after burners to score a try each. At the final whistle Maroons 4 : Alcester 3

Thanks to Mo who was on duty with the whistle and to Alcester RFC for a most enjoyable morning of rugby (and for not being 3 feet under water).

We had a new recruit today who looked keen and demonstrated pace to burn in the warm up. Welcome Owain, we hope to see you again next week.

‘Person’ of the Match was Amelie Appleby for some great handling, recycling the ball well and frankly doing well to even stand up in trainers.