Another long day on the road for the squad and management from Stourton Park saw a 9:15 start avoiding the M5 roadworks only to be diverted through country lanes north of Wolverhampton on the A449. Threshfield is always a tough place to visit given the final 45 minutes of picturesque but undulating country lanes that test even the strongest of stomachs! However, It would appear that the Wharfedale boys feel the same way about the return fixture as their match preview included “…a glorious drive through some rolling Midlands countryside, albeit after battling down the M6 and through Wolverhampton…”

Keen to take revenge for being “nilled “ last season, Stour were determined to make a better game of it and had form advantage with 16 tries to 5 in the first three games. Our hosts were well beaten by Macclesfield then narrowly lost their local derby at home to Otley (who we put 42 points in the opening fixture). Last week they made the arduous journey to Luctonians coming away with just one try so were keen to put up a better display in front of a knowledgeable and enthusiastic home crowd. They started off well by winning the toss and opting to play with the slope in the first half. For anyone who has been to Threshfield, they will know that this is considerable and that a second half slog uphill will only be met by raking kicks into to the left corner.

After a nervous start from both teams, it was Stourbridge who scored the first 3 points from a Scott penalty only to be cancelled out three minutes by the boot of fly half Tom Barrett. The scores then remained level for the next twelve minutes of play that saw most of the advantage to Wharfedale with Stour giving away a series of penalties for a variety of offences including offsides, collapsing the scrum and even shirt pulling in the lineout. Wharfedale failed to capitalize on their advantages and missed a drop goal attempt from in front of the posts. The best chance they had was after a lightning break by Barrett and, with open space to the line, the final pass to wingman Oliver Cicognini, was adjudged to be forward. More penalties followed by both teams. However, Joe Heatley who took a quick throw in after Wharfedale had knocked on into touch broke the deadlock. His throw found Steve Leach who, in turn sent the ball to Afeafe Haisila and eventually George Morgan scoring out right. Scott converted as part of his 100% record for the afternoon.

Before the reader gets bored, consider the last time Stour played a game that included six converted tries?

Back to the action and almost straight from the kick off Heatley was rewarded with a try of his own, after slick work by the back three, and scored his 5th try of the season with a final assist from Dan Rundle. Scott’s conversion meant the visitors were up by 3 – 17 and confidence was building. This was the finest performance by a Stourbridge team for many years and the class was demonstrated by all players with some searing breaks, clever lines of running and short/long passes that seemed to defy physics. Indeed it was on the half hour mark when this was demonstrated to the fullest after the backs had found acres of space and gained over 50 metres. The ensuing breakdown within the hosts 5 m line was ably assisted by Sam Wilkes and, no other than, fellow front row, Stefan Thorp who crashed over for his first try of the season. This seemed to galvanize Wharfedale who scored their only try of the game shortly before the first half whistle. Haisila saw a Yellow Card for an offside infringement after referee Jonathan Cook deemed the visitors to have been too persistent in this area. Down to 14 men, Stour needed to defend bravely but Wharfedale’s penalty lineout, quick release and fine looping pass stretched the men in pink too far and Cicognini evaded a desperate last ditch tackle attempt to score out left. Barrett made a fine kick from the touchline and the score was a little more respectable at 10 – 24. With 41 minutes on the clock, most of the spectators thought this would close the first half but referee Cook had different ideas. The Stour kick off return was knocked on and Stour had scrum put in on their opponents’ 10 m line. No 9, Heatley gathered the ball from Sam Pailor’s feet, looked up and decided to sprint 40 metres, shrug off several tackles and touch down for his second try of the day and 6th for the season. Once again, Chris Scott added the extra 2 points and Stour had secured their bonus point on the stroke of half time.

At this stage, the game was far from over given that Stourbridge now faced 40 minutes of up hill play, 14 men for the first 5 minutes and a host side who have no right to be at the foot of the table given some strong work in both attack and defence! Indeed, it was “The Green Machine” who took control for the third quarter of the game and their trademark kicking put Stour on the back foot from several phases. Eventually, pressure was relieved when STOUR POWER in the scrum was rewarded with a penalty. One rare opportunity to attack came when Heatley’s quick tap penalty released Mukarati but a foot in touch thwarted the promising attack. With the penalty count now mounting, both sides had their chances to attack including one for Wharfedale met by two crunching tackle from Charlie Jeavons-Fellows and Nigel Mukarati. It was then Jack Lea who defended superbly; winning the battle after a green attacker did not release the ball. The ensuing penalty lineout gave possession to Stour and it was their turn to send a looping pass out left and a sublime running angle by Man of the Match George Morgan saw him score, untouched under the posts. Afeafe Haisila converted, the second half deadlock had been broken and Stour were 28 points up with the scoreboard showing 10 – 38! Once again, Wharfedale attacking play posed questions for the back three of Stourbridge but Wharfedale can count themselves lucky not to see a yellow card when the referee blew for a deliberate shoulder charge in the ruck. However, green No 8 Josh Burridge was not so lucky ten minutes later when he repeated the move, this time on Afeafe Haisila in open play. Having ignored a previous 3-point penalty, Stour opted for the line out penalty and, with only 7 forwards, the hosts were at the mercy of a dominant catch and drive. Replacement hooker Jack Lea took full advantage and trundled over for Stour’s 6th try of the day and 22nd in four games. Haisila converted and the game ended after a brief restart and unfruitful passage of play.

With Tynedale missing out on a BP win, Stourbridge find themselves in top spot. Mindful of last year’s final league position after four straight wins at the start of the 2016 campaign, there can be no complacency but confidence and team spirit is building by the week.
Chris Depper was missed this week especially as nobody could replace his DVD collection of body building films and documentaries. Somebody needs to ask him a question, though! How come Mr. Universe is always won by someone from Planet Earth?

The return journey was broken by a visit to the local off licence in the sleepy village of Earby where the manager thought all his Christmas’s had come at once. Numerous bottles and cans of liquids were purchased but one player was very disappointed. Upon his return, empty handed, he was heard to utter words of disappointment. “They didn’t have any of that nice Spanish Ricotta!”

Match Report by Richard Stanley, pictures by Paul Davidson