TEENAGE speed merchant Oscar Holland showed a clean pair of heels to clinch a couple of well worked tries as Alcester obtained an excellent 15-10 triumph at higher placed Ledbury.

It proved a fourth league win from five games as Alcester continue their push for promotion from Midlands 3 West South.

Ben Hope bagged a third try when following up a Phil Birks break before he was hauled down just metres short of the line.

Ledbury had opened the scoring with a converted try but both Birks and Holland crossed the whitewash before half time to put Alcester 10-7 in front.

The second half saw Ledbury pound Alcester's line for almost the entire 40 minutes.

They levelled the scores at 10-10 with a penalty but other opportunities to score went begging as Alcester defended for all their worth with flanker Lee Avery-Sherwood leading by example.

A second try from 18-year-old prospect Holland which arrived late was worthy of winning any game as it required both pace and precision to score.

Ledbury could consider themselves unlucky to come away with just a losing bonus point while victory leaves seventh placed Alcester just nine points adrift of joint leaders Shipston and Rugby St Andrews.

Alcester will look to improve that position this Saturday when they entertain Manor Park who are lower in the table.

The Second XV faced a well-organised Shottery side from Stratford and lost out 29-5.

Shottery ran in four first half tires to lead 24-0 at the break.

Alcester were much better in the second half but couldn't prevent Shottery adding a further try, somewhat against the run of play.

But Alcester did manage to get themselves on the scoreboard through a late Chris Howell try.

The seconds also face Manor Park this Saturday but must travel to Nuneaton for a league fixture.