Shipston II 72pts, Alcester II 5

SHIPSTON'S only - some might say dubious - claim to fame came when Bee Gee Robin Gibb namechecked the town on his 1970 solo album Sing Slowly Sisters!

Last Saturday, this was usurped by the second coming on the Easter weekend in the corporeal form of John Jesus' Francis who helped Shipston record their largest win of the season.

"Cold be my days in Shipston-on-Stour" are the words Gibb actually used to represent his view on Shipston.

Apparently the situation found when he and his brother Barry rode a horse around the town as children!

Last weekend was no different to dear Robin and Barry's experiences as the team's pre-match practice session took place in near white-out due to the hail and sleet. Mere elements, though, have never been enough to put off the rugby team.

The air was perfumed with revenge as the hosts ran out eager to rectify a result earlier in the season that saw them crash out of the cup to Alcester.

Chris Norm' Ranson immediately made an impact as he broke through three tackles to punch a gaping hole in the centre of Alcester's defence.

Pick of the tries was an interception on Shipston's try line from Edward Warmington that resulted in a superb full length run of the pitch to turn a resurgent attack of Alcester's into further points for the Rams.

Other highlights involved Andy Hunt scoring his first try of the season and setting up Warmington who, running from deep, received a beautifully weighted ball flicked out of the back of Hunt's hand.

There are many others worthy of metion including James Sale who crossed for two tries and added six conversions and Tom Wilson who also touched down twice.

Alcester's solitary points came from a penalty try in the last play of a match played in great spirit with Shipston's dominant scrum and attacking edge being too much for the tireless defence of the visiting side.