This week, we welcome our second top 5 side in the form of Sale FC who have lost just 2 games this season including Sedgley Park and a tight 7-5 loss at high flyers Tynedale in Round 7.

Recent scalps include Macclesfield, Otley and Luctonians but the most unpredictable result was against South Leicester in September! The game was a 22-22 draw with Sale scoring four tries to one but the boot of Ricky Aley ensured the home side a well deserved 2 points!

Stour still have injury worries with influential captain Sam Pailor doubtful and scrum half, Ben Tibbetts out with a fractured leg. We are also missing three backs in Afeafe Haisila, Alex Hearle and Nick David. However, we welcome a promising new signing, Robbie Forbes, who starts at full back and experienced all rounder, Rob Connolly who is on the bench to cover a number of key positions. Charlie Jeavons-Fellows also returns after his brief sojourn at Sixways.

Josh Trinham has returned following the eye injury sustained 2 weeks ago and it looks like Chris Scott, Llyr Griffiths, Nick Murphy and Chad Thorne have all overcome a variety of lumps, bumps and stitches to secure top spots in Mitch's starting line up.

This is our first match on the AGP and we hope for a bumper turnout to witness what should be a real firecracker of a game. We also look forward to seeing friends, colleagues and all rugby fans alike at Stourton Park. Keen, curious or collecting another souvenir programme, everyone is welcome and, as always, let's hope that rugby (and Stour) will be the winners.