Match Reports ⬇️
First XV (inspired by Keith Beasley's match report ⭐️)
A packed Stourton Park saw Stourbridge claim five points and move a step closer to the playoffs with a dominant performance over Dudley Kingswinford.

Stour made a flying start. Within three minutes, they were deep in DK’s half following a well-placed kick to touch. After several phases near the line, the ball was recycled to Ben Freeman, who found a gap to score. Freddie Morgan added the conversion for a 7–0 lead.

Just ten minutes later, Stour capitalised on a DK lineout error in their own half. Kicking to touch and building through phases into the 22, the ball was moved wide to Dan Rundle, who crossed in the corner to make it 12–0.

From the restart, Stour struck again. After recycling possession on halfway, Freeman spotted space, beat multiple defenders, and touched down left of the posts. Morgan converted to extend the lead to 17–0 with just 13 minutes played.

DK then enjoyed a period of possession, pushing Stour back into their own 22. However, Stour turned defence into attack, winning a scrum against the head. The ball was quickly moved to Rundle, who broke from his own 22 and ran in under the posts. Morgan converted for 24–0 after 20 minutes.

The pattern continued. From the restart, Stour built phases before Will Bishop broke down the left wing to score, making it 29–0. Moments later, Freeman completed his hat-trick, finishing under the posts after a clever run down the right. Morgan converted for 36–0.

Within a minute, Aaron Hackett added another try following a powerful run from Rundle, with Morgan again converting to take the score to 43–0 inside 25 minutes.

John Lenton-Jinks was next on the scoresheet after a lineout deep in DK territory, finishing in the corner to make it 48–0. On the stroke of half-time, Jake Kelly broke the defensive line from a scrum in the 22 to score under the posts. Morgan’s conversion gave Stour a commanding 55–0 lead at the break.

The second half began in similar fashion, with Bishop adding his second try from close range after sustained pressure. Morgan converted to make it 62–0.

DK managed a consolation when a loose pass in Stour’s 22 was gathered by scrum-half Joseph Dunn, who crossed to make it 62–5.

Stour responded immediately. After building phases from the restart, Mark Harrison crossed in the corner to extend the lead to 67–5. George Westwood then added another, finishing under the posts after more strong phase play, with Morgan converting for 74–5.

With the result secure, Stour emptied the bench, including a debut for Todd Stevens and the return of Mark George.

Lenton-Jinks grabbed his second try from close range following a scrum, converted by Morgan to make it 81–5. Fittingly, Freeman rounded off the scoring with his fourth try of the afternoon, bringing the final score to 86–5.

The win consolidates Stour in third place. Victory at home to Bridgnorth on 11th April will secure a playoff spot against Newport Salop, who finished second after defeating champions Bournville.

? Lions written by J John - A depleted Stour made the trip to high flying Veseyans and encountered a well organised and aggressive side who justified their high flying league status.

Stour held their own in the first 30 minutes and were 7-7 after a Luke Bimson try after a Westwood kick and Gilbert collection and offload. Stour then turned down a penalty in front of the posts to take the lead, taking a tap penalty instead, and within minutes were under their own sticks.

Veseyans surged and led 31-7 at ht. Injuries and illness took their toll and inspite of an Ollie Lynch assist for James Westwood to score, Stour were beaten well. They never stopped fighting and Lewis Wood and Ethan Gilbert carried the fight to Veseyans. Sam Grimmett Bate also made inroads, whilst George Cattell stuck to plan and pressurised the back 3 of Veseyans with well placed box kicks. Harry Wooldridge was also a line breaker at 8.

Stour need to rest well and take what they can from their trip to Spartans, in 2 weeks time, before a huge and season defining game v Aston on April 18th at Stourton Park.

? Panthers written by Darren Bassett:
Match report Stafford Women versus Stourbridge Panthers
41-25

Stour took the long trip up the M6 to Blackberry Lane to Terrible weather conditions with a constant cold strong wind & driving rain.

Stourbridge put out a new look squad containing 3 debutants with some familiar faces from the season missing.
The Panthers forwards were dominant in particular in the scrums & strong carries.

The Panthers showed an Organized defence & made Stafford work for every single one of their tries

The team felt connected and cohesive & showed some flowing rugby.

The Panthers moved up a gear in the second half but unfortunately were not able to claw back the lead Stafford put on the scoreboard in the first 40 minutes

Tries for:

Alex Yates
Evie Hurrell
Jasmin Faulkner Harper
Abi Smitherman x2

Player of the match: Poppy Pinner

Next game is at Stourton Park against Stafford again on April 19th in a rearranged fixture due to snow distribution earlier in the season.

Colts
Hereford 10-19 Stourbridge

With a very disappointing amount of drop outs, we made the long journey to Hereford with a threadbare squad of only 16, including 3 u16 called up to support us. With players out of position and 1 sub we knew this was going to be a tough day at the office. However heroics from all 16 gave us a win that the coaches and players should be very proud off.

All 3 front row played the full 70 minutes tirelessly, Sam W dominating in the scrum and making some big hits, Sean carrying ferociously and off loading well. Will staying on top of his prop and hitting his men at the line out. In the second row, Harry M from the u16 played his way into the game, and had a superb second half, hitting great lines, taking responsibility at kick offs and leading the defensive line. Ewan our Full back, made his debut at second row, and looked like he’d played there 5 years, driving the scrum forward and carrying well in the tight. The back row was lead by Charlie L, breaking up and slowing their ball, and keeping them on the back foot. Louis worked all day, carrying hard and tackling anything that moved, he was especially prominent in a mammoth defensive effort when we seemed to be on our own line for 10 minutes! Also making his debut at flanker was u16 fly half Owen, his tackling, work rate, and bravery at the breakdown contributing massively to our win. All the pack did well to maintain discipline in the face of repeated acts of foul play.

Harri kept the ball moving, making good decisions and pressuring their half backs from 9, Tom kept the line moving, kicked well and dealt with some scrappy ball at 10. George and Tebbs ran the midfield, organising well, always going forward in attack and shutting down their attacks. On the wing, another u16 on debut, Alfie L, provided a real attacking threat, and chased kicks all day. The other wing covered by Ethan and Carter, tackling, chasing and carrying well. All held together at the back by captain Rudi S, crunching anyone that got as far as him, kicking intelligently, and carrying well, both with hard yards in the tight, and making a number of 50yd breaks, his performance being capped by 2 tries and 2 conversations. Owen scoring the other, following a superb series of phases with the backs making serious yards, and the forwards breaking tackles and off loading deftly.

This win puts us third in the league, with one game left away to champions Lichfield. After that we meet Hereford again in the plate final on the 19th of April. This will be held at Droitwich, should be a great day of rugby, and all support would be most gratefully received.