Rugby Union
Impressive Exiles secure rare victory

Birmingham Exiles 25 Alcester 18

Midlands Four West (South)

EXILES battled hard to secure their second victory of the season on Saturday as they lifted themselves above Rugby Welsh and off the bottom of the table.

As ever, the home forwards were up against a much bulkier pack but they gave every bit as good as they got whilst the backs put on a great display in both defence and attack.

Gaining possession from the kick-off, Exiles put the visitors under early pressure but knocked on close to the line before a forward pass ended another attack shortly afterwards.

They had more joy in the seventh minute through when the ball was worked right and Andy Root provided the assist for winger John Higgins to cross in the corner.

Alcester stepped up a gear and, after they had been held up over the line, they levelled the scored when skipper and number eight Stuart Fletcher went over from the back of the ensuing five-metre scrum.

It did not take long for Exiles to regain the lead, and this time it was a lead they would never relinquish.

A weak clearance gave the hosts possession and the ball was moved to the left where stand off Dan Johnstone crossed after some impressive handling.

Exiles’ confidence levels were clearly up at this stage and when Alcester spilled possession, Exiles’ McGee, in impressive form throughout, was on hand to supply the assist for second row Ben Halliwell to crash over on the left, Johnstone converted from wide out.

Alcester reapplied themselves and cut the gap with a well struck penalty from scrum half Lewis Hatton before Ben Hansen crossed in the final minute of the half to get the visitors within four points at the interval.

Playing down the slope in the second half, Alcester went straight on the offensive again at the start of the second half but Exiles gained a relieving penalty.

Another penalty, this time in an attacking position, enabled Exiles to stretch their lead to seven points as Johnstone’s attempt was successful.

The next score was going to be significant and it went to Exiles. Once again the ball was spun along the backs and McGee provided the pass for winger James Shackleton to go over on the left.

The visitors were not ready to concede defeat just yet though and after good work from their pack, Jack Horton found a gap to squeeze over, Hatton’s conversion came back off the post.

With just under ten minutes to go, both sides did all they could in defence and attack but no further points were forthcoming as Exiles took the honours in an absorbing contest.