Saturday’s match saw one of our 3 “local derby” games against an ascendant Lions side who, after a poor start, have won three on the bounce, including two tough away fixtures at Macclesfield and Luctonians. The also lost narrowly to Tynedale in an enthralling 26-28 game.

Lutterworth Road is never an easy place to play and Stour fortunes there go all the way back to our last win there in November 2013 when tries by Ben Barkley, Matt Farrington and one Nigel Mukarati sealed a 3 – 20 victory. Later that season we won comfortably at home by 38 – 0 and again Nigel M scored along side Nathan Bressington (2) Drew Harper, Mike Hill and Tom Jarvis. Jamie Hearn kicked four conversions!

The side was missing some key players through either injury or other rugby commitments but we are fortunate that there is adaptability amongst players who can offer strength and depth in a variety of positions. The game also saw the league’s two top try scorers, Devon Constant and Joe Heatley in action so an exciting game was in prospect for all concerned including a full supporters bus from Stourton Park. Storm Brian was also to play an important part with strong winds gusting at over 50 mph.

The visitors kicked off with wind advantage and the first quarter of the game saw Lions with superior possession and territorial advantages. This was the result of some physicality and skill sets that belied their 7th place standing but Stour were not helped when after just 2 minutes No 9 Ben Tibbetts was carried off with a nasty leg injury that ensured the Peter Pan of Stourbridge, Rod Petty coming on for the remainder. Indeed, Stour were to lose more shape as the game went on with Chad Thorne off at half time and Nick David after 59 minutes. Charlie Jeavons Fellows was also having a punishing game and Chris Scott battled on after a golf ball sized lump appeared on his right cheek, sustained in a tackle.

Lions were first on the score sheet through a Jon Boden penalty on 3 minutes. It then took another 15 minutes for the visitors to establish some territorial gains for themselves and they nearly scored when a Petty tap penalty gave him the chance to cross kick over the defence only to see Josh Trinham inches short of the catch. Lions regrouped but failed to capitalise after being awarded a series of penalties but then Joe Heatley announced himself in the game and on his second trademark break cut a great line and took a slick pass from Scott 10 metres out, for the first try of the game, under the posts. Nick David added the extras and the Stour Power machine now started to roll onwards. The second try was started after Scott’s massive and inch perfect clearance kick found touch, inside Lions 22. They knocked on in the lineout and conceded a scrum penalty. Wind conditions suggested that an otherwise simple 3 points should be eschewed in favour of a lineout but white line fever seemed to take hold and Stour had to go through multiple rucks and mauls before replacement hooker, Jack Lea bowled over the line but Scott’s difficult conversion attempt shaved the upright. The visitors had one more chance to increase the score when a Lion was penalised for “not rolling away”. The lineout ball was knocked on and referee Ben Rayner blew for half time. At 3 – 12, the final outcome was far from certain.

Storm Brian then seemed to intervene and wind direction changed slightly, now appearing to assist the visitors. However, the swirling conditions still meant handling possession was always going to be crucial. The Lions kick off was deliberately along the ground but Petty’s gather and clearance was a good foil. After an exchange of metres gained and a corresponding brace of penalties Lions conceded the ball after handling on the floor. This was 10 metres out and right in front of the sticks. Scott took the opportunity to add three points but only after the wind contrived that the ball inched over the cross bar! This gave Stourbridge clear water and Leicester Lions needing at least three scores to catch or overtake them. Now playing with more confidence and authority, the visitors launched a wave of attacks that would sap the strength of any side and were finally rewarded by a Nick Murphy try. Charlie J-F had secured possession and play seemed to halt after his break ended with a tackle and some fine juggling skills. The ball went to ground and Murphy was on hand to pick up, pirouette and pounce over the line.

This did galvanise the hosts who then added 5 points through try machine Devon Constant after some pressure on Stourbridge’s try line was sent wide to the left and Constant dived over. The conversion was missed and the scoreboard showed an intriguing 8 – 20 with seventeen minutes left on the clock. Their impetus then took a step back after the Lions No 6, Drew Rudkin was carded for a technical offence that gave referee Rayner no option to award a penalty try for deliberately collapsing a maul. Four minutes later, matters were evened up when Jack Lea took a team Yellow Card and Lions upped the pressure eventually seeing open side flanker John Murdoch crash over and just reward for his high work rate. The remaining 4 minutes went scoreless but saw some intense and exciting passages of play.

Stourbridge came away with their 8th Bonus Point victory but at a cost that may see some key players out for several weeks. The match video may well show that Lions won the game in terms of territorial advantage and possession having spent a large part of the game inside the Stour half. The visitors also lost some key lineout ball but, overall, star performances from the likes of Jack Lea, Rod Petty, Joe Heatley and Llyr Griffiths ensured a hard fought but well earned win that leaves them seven points clear of Tynedale who lost their first game, just a few miles away!

With some great work and outstanding phases, Man of the Match choice was always going to be a tough call. The Rugby Paper and Lions gave this to Charlie Jeavons-Fellows but DoR Neil Mitchell adjudged it to be try scorer Nick Murphy by a short head!

Next week, Stourbridge host title contenders Sedgley Park who put 5 tries and 31 points against hapless Luctonians to leave them in third place. KO is at 15:00 and we look forward to seeing you at a game that promises to be a real humdinger!