Our first match of the season is against local rivals (66 miles) Leicester Lions who, in recent encounters have managed to come out on top winning three out of the last five games. Points difference is in their favour at 90 - 77 and their last league position of 11th should not be regarded as indicative of the Lions true capabilities.

They are a side who put 40 points on the board in a pre season "friendly" against Luctonians with a new look squad that put in a confident performance with new players starting to make a mark and showing their abilities in a free flowing game.

Lions were first to score early in the game and closed the first half with two quick scores. The second half saw a very confident 'Lions' squad wanting to play a quick and direct game which resulted in them scoring a further 4 tries. A 40-7 win was very pleasing and head coach, Andy Key, is quoted as being impressed with how his team stuck to structure and processes which put them into positive positions on the field. He was also impressed with fitness and defensive qualities.

With Stour's below par pre season campaign and player absences, Neil Mitchell and his team will need to rally their squad this week to ensure a home victory at the start of what promises to be another long campaign.

At the time of writing, it looks likely that Mitch will field just 13 out of 20 who appeared against LL earlier this year when Stour won 23-12 (seehttp://www.stourbridgerugby.com/teams/14914/match-centre/1-2824508 )

Our pre season games saw some brutal encounters with significant physical consequences for several players. Subject to fitness and availability we will see a number of debut appearances from the likes of Rickie Aley, Reece Beddows, Nick Cairns, Mark Harrison and Luke Veebel.

No matter what, Saturday promises to be a great day for rugby with our “double header” involving Stourbridge Lions against Hereford. There is concessionary entry at the gate and this will be our first September KO on the AGP.

We look forward to seeing young and old, faithful and sceptical, curious and cynical, local and distant, male and female, Black Country and Brummy, Yorky and Lancastrian, Leicester and Herefordshire folk, all with an interest in rugby football and all wanting to support their own sides and this noble game of ours.