The fifth game of the season saw Stourbridge play only their second game at home and still relying on old-fashioned grass as the new AGP is “work in progress”. On Saturday they welcomed the team, management and supporters from Chester who make the relatively short journey from Hare Lane.

For the second week running, Stour faced a side that managed to embarrass them into a defeat to “NIL” points as recently as March 2017. This went somewhat against the formbook as the previous 4 encounters saw Stourbridge 3 – 1 up. Points wise, things could not be closer with 115 to 114 in favour of the hosts (wait for the pedants to observe that it could be closer!) so there was a buzz of anticipation all round. Chester lay in 10th place having won 2/4 of this season’s encounters, losing both away games at Tynedale and Otley but steady wins at home against Macclesfield and Luctonians. Some mid week and early morning rain meant the going should have been “good to soft” but at around 1:30 the heavens parted and the game was played in persistent drizzle for the full ‘80’. However, with a strong pack and some rapid backs, the conditions were never going to be an issue for a home team that have shown dominance in every position, this season.

The weather forecast leaked out to many local radios, TV’s and computers meaning that less than 50 people (more showed up a few minutes later after lunch) witnessed Stourbridge kick off to Chester and despite an initial counter attack by Heatley the move was thwarted by an eventual knock on. This set a precedent that was to follow on many occasions - not surprising given the soap like ball. However, on the three minute mark the deadlock was broken by some rapid movement of the ball to find the reliable Rundle out left for a touch down but too far out for the conversion attempt to count. 5 minutes later Stour got another scoring opportunity after quick ball by eventually led to a Chester play being offside. A penalty line out catch and drive saw a determined scrum half Ben Tibbetts scoring and converted by Afeafe Haisila. The next score also fell to the hosts following a clever kick through by Scott. At the breakdown a Chester player was penalised for being offside. However, Stour failed to capitalise and gifted a pressure-relieving penalty to Chester for sealing off the ruck. Persistence did pay off on the 17 minute mark when they won yet another penalty, this time for an illegal high tackle. Afeafe stepped up to the tee and slotted a simple three points. Forward dominance was starting to tell and Stour managed to win a scrum penalty for “pulling down”. Unfortunately, line out ball was lost through a knock on. Shortly after, roles were reversed with a penalty to Chester for a player coming in from side. The lineout ball was quickly recycled for Chester number 11, Matt Crow to score in the right corner. Too far out for the kick to go over the game restarted and a promising counter attack by Heatley was only thwarted by a last gasp forward pass into touch. Fortuitously, the lineout was not straight Stourbridge regained possession and attacked down right. Chester were penalised twice more and yet another trademark lineout, catch and drive gave expectant dad Chad Thorne his first try of the season. Haisila converted on 37 minutes.

Chester counter attacked straight from the kick off but, opting to kick out of hand, they lost possession and Scott kicked ahead, from just outside the 22 m line. This in turn led to a late tackle and penalty to Stourbridge where the ball landed. The penalty line out that came to nothing when a knock on out left gave advantage and a scrum to Chester. Shortly after Stourbridge were gifted another opportunity for an alleged off the ball incident. Now defending furiously, Chester’s clearance kick failed to make touch and was caught by Afeafe Haisila whose counter-attack from outside the 22 m line gave him a well deserved score which Scott converts on 39 minutes. There was just time for a return kick off and Chester were unable to convert pressure into points. The referee blew for halftime score with a score line of 29 - 5 and once again, Stour had secured a bonus point in the first half of a game.

For the second half, Chester kicked off and the only change saw replacement Nick David coming on for George Morgan, Stourbridge cleared but were met by a series of counter-attacks from an altogether different Chester side. However Scott followed up on a fine display of kicking out of hand and took some pressure off by a great kick into the visitor’s 22. By now the ball was getting very slippery and possession was being lost by both teams including a lineout scramble and eventual knock by Stourbridge. The third quartile of the match seemed to favour Chester with some strong running by their backs. And the first points of the half were eventually clocked up on 73 minutes when replacement Shaun Strudwick was released through a bullocking run from James Robins. The conversion by Liam McGovern was successful but all too late for there to be any serious threat to the final outcome. However, it had now been well over half an hour since Stour had troubled the scorer and were looking at an altogether different side. They failed to capitalize on a series of penalties against Chester for foul play but eventually the law of averages kicked in. Once again, they gained a penalty following a promising attack but resulting ball goes into touch. Chester regained possession only to give it back to Dan Rundle, on to Nick David and then to Heatley. Result …another penalty to the home side for a deliberate knock on and the guilty party was fortunate not to see a Yellow Card. This was in front of the posts but rather than see out the game with a simple 3 pointer, Petty ignored the mumblings from the “dugout” opted for a lineout catch and drive. The dominance of the Stour forwards led to an inevitable score to Stourbridge by Charlie Jeavons-Fellows. Scott executed another excellent conversion from out left and the final whistle blew for a great home win by 36 points to 12.

Man of the Match was Nigel Mukarati whose cool head, hot breaks and strong defence was the platform for backs and forwards alike. However, credit should also go to his nineteen team mates who all played their respective parts in another entertaining performance. There was a fantastic post match atmosphere in the clubhouse including a rendition of Sweet Caroline by Charlie Jeavons-Fellows and Nick Murphy winning the drink off. Somebody was also heard telling a joke about a giant helium filled balloon, but that didn’t go down too well.

Plans are also afoot for the team social at Blaydon next week. It is a themed BBQ night based around the glove puppet, Sooty. Mitch is hoping to win the Sweep steak. Next week’s match report may be a little briefer as the writer cannot make the trip due to a commitment in The Mumbles. However, normal service will be resumed on 14th October when we host Huddersfield in our Double-Hearer #2 with the Lions.