By dint of a losing bonus point and having playing all their scheduled matches they ironically found themselves moving up to 2nd place in the Nat.2N table, but are only a point ahead of others who now face a crowded late-season campaign with as many as 4 games to reschedule.

Playing into the elements Stour received the kick off and immediately shipped a 3 point deficit, Broadstreet outside half Lee Chapman bisecting the uprights when Stour failed to clear out the tackle area and were penalised. Their misfiring lineout was struggling to cope with the conditions, but an interception by flanker Joe Carpenter set up a long gallop to the hosts’ 22 where penalty awards were kicked to the corner. Hooker Sam Wilkes’ lineout throw found its target and a set of short-range drives produced a try for Carpenter converted by fullback Tom Mitchell. 11min 3-7.

The restart kick was fumbled though, a penalty award for offside followed and Chapman’s boot landed another 3 points. Stour’s next drive coughed the ball up in the hosts 22, back they came but winger Ash Elvers was tackled just short of the line and another ineffective clearout saw possession turned over. Broadstreet worked their way downfield and the lead changed hands courtesy of Chapman’s boot when Stour were penalised in kicking range. 25min 9-7.

A half-break by winger Josh Trinham put no.8 Connor Nicholls clear down the left flank, Stour pressed the attack and drew a penalty award for offside, the hosts’ counting themselves fortunate that referee Luke Haskins didn’t call a deliberate knock-on as they tried to work the ball to a 2-man overlap just short of the tryline. To the corner it went but Stour’s lineout misfired again and Broadstreet cleared. They worked their way to the Stour 22 where Nicholls was unfortunate to be sin-binned for side-entry. The hosts opted to scrum, but Stour held them out to the halftime whistle.

It appeared Stour had weathered the storm with just a 2 point deficit and the wind advantage to come, but Broadstreet had other ideas and tore back from the restart. A maul was driven into the Stour half and the ball worked right where some flimsy defending shipped a try to fullback Andrew Murray. 42min 14-7.

Mitchell had a long-range shot at goal but it drifted right. Both sides started to struggle to hold on to the ball for any protracted period of play, but Stour’s steady concession of penalties eventually conceded a lineout just 5m from their line. Broadstreet reduced the numbers in the line, Stour failed to readjust quickly and conceded a soft try when the throw found no.8 Jack Gibbons who breezed through the undefended tail. 65min 19-7.

Stour continued to throw the ball about, outside-half Rod Petty putting replacement James Rodley through a huge gap to reach the hosts’ 22. A penalty award was kicked to the corner but again Stour failed to secure their lineout throw. The pack dug deep and forced a penalty from Broadstreet’s scrum, a quick tap and a set of drives seeing 2nd row Robbie Hurrell crash over. 75min 19-12 and a glimmer of hope for Stour with Broadstreet visibly tiring.

But a recovered restart kick wound precious seconds off the clock before Petty could secure a turnover deep in the Stour half. They slung the ball around as time ran down but saw opportunities go begging as their handling continued to let them down, the hosts content to hoof the ball off the pitch for the final whistle.

Next week Feb 13th Stour host Nat. 2N basement side Huddersfield, 3pm ko.