For the second week running a great defence enabled Stour to overcome strong attacking play from a Lions side that refused to give up and battled away until well into injury time. Playing against a strong wind, it was the visitors who kicked off this local derby and were met with an immediate counter through Sam Pailor and Joe Heatley. Lions were then caught offside and gifted a relatively simple chance for fly half Chris Scott to open the scoring followed, three minutes later by another 3 points, this time a little tougher. It all started through two bullocking runs, first by Jack “Bowling Ball” Lea and then fellow front rower Stefan Thorp. Unfortunately, the phase broke down but Lions were penalised for “holding on” in the tackle and the 50 metres gained by the two charges were enough to make the difference for another score.

Jack Lea and Stefan Thorp continued to make their mark throughout the game both in attack and defence but all credit to the forwards who were tireless in thwarting the visitors’ power and pace. The 300 strong crowd witnessed second row Nick Murphy playing like a fourth back row forward but an all round impressive team performance was the difference between the two teams.

Lions did have their chances including a long-range penalty when referee Ben Davis blew for a Stour player handling on the ground. The normally reliable Jonathan Boden hit the penalty kick wide, left of the posts. The 22 m drop out was hit long and immediately countered by Leicester. No 14 James Wise scythed through the defence and would have scored had he not been taken by an outstanding try saving tackle from Nick David. Shortly after Joe Heatley was sent to the sin bin after the referee thought he had tried to trip a Leicester player. Down to 14 men, some gaps started to appear in the Stour defence. This was recognised by full back Alex Wilcockson whose 50 m break seemed to hypnotise all in front of him. Fortunately for Stourbridge, the final pass went astray, into touch with a 2:1 overlap and just 10 metres out!

Lions continued to make inroads into the Stour half but great work, including an outrageous steal by Callum Bowden allowed Stourbridge to advance to the half way line. Lions were then fortunate to be allowed a second lineout throw after the referee denied Stourbridge a free kick when the ball was clearly not straight. Even the Lions Hooker, Ben Spokes, was surprised as the puzzled smile on his face broke the tension and frustration in the home dugout! This was perhaps the only ray of sunshine on an otherwise drab display of officiating where the shrill blasts of an Acme Thunderer seemed to dominate proceedings, stifling a game that had all the makings of “classic”.

This second bite of the cherry then provided another penalty in favour of the visitors when Davis adjudged Stour to be offside. Lions kicked to touch, opting for a lineout and hoping to march towards the home sides try line. Whether it was the hand of God or the hand of a forward, Stourbridge managed to steal the lineout and Chris Scott hoofed the ball 45 metres to the half way line. The home side were now back to 15 men with Joe Heatley returning to the field. Refreshed but perhaps a little aggrieved by his enforced break, it didn’t take him long to make up for lost time. On 33 minutes, he made a startling break, gaining all of 50 metres, releasing Jack Lea who crashed over but only rewarded by a scrum after appearing to have been “held up”. Sam Pailor gave referee Davis no such dilemma when he scored his fourth try in two games by bursting over on the back of a bulldozer like Stour scrum. Chris Scott added the extras to make it 13 – 0.

Straight from the kick off, Leicester Lions gathered the ball but at the breakdown, Jack Lea and Callum Bowden planted themselves firmly over the ball and secured a penalty. However, the visitors dominated the next 3 minutes but solid defence by all 15 players ensured Stour went in at half time still with a thirteen points lead.

Stourbridge kicked off the second half, Lions cleared only to find Nick David, Sam Pailor and Hal Riley all linking to fire back inside the visitors’ half. Lions returned play and yet another Nick David tackle saved the scoreboard any movement. At this stage of the game we saw a third hat trick in as many weeks. Mukarati against Blaydon, Pailor/Huddersfield and now Miles Edge with his third water carry of the day!

On 56 minutes, Lions broke their duck and full back Wilcockson who had looked threatening all afternoon initiated it! Stourbridge had kicked deep inside the Lions 22m left corner. The No 15 countered, rather than kicked and his elusive running style made all of 60 metres. The equally troublesome James Wise was at the end of the move and his 5 points were scored in the far right corner, nearly 90 metres from where it all started! Boden’s kick was unsuccessful but Leicester Lions were now back in the game at 13 – 5.

However, it took just 5 minutes for the hosts to hit back through a well deserved Llyr Griffiths try after gathering a penalty lineout throw resulting from an illegal tackle on Josh Trinham. This went unconverted but it took just 5 minutes more for Stourbridge to score their third try. Niall Gibbons started proceedings through a powerful break, feeding Joe Heatley and then Jack Lea. Doing well to keep up with the play, Dan Rundle found a bit of space and a lot of pace, racing outside of the Lions defence to score in the far left corner. Chris Scott’s conversion hit the posts but Stourbridge now had a clear 18 points advantage with 14 minutes to play.

Overall, Lions dominated the final minutes although there were some moments of brilliance by Nick David in attack and Adam Sturdy, in defence. His key turnover gave Dan Rundle another golden opportunity but still with 70 metres and a cynical high tackle to face from No 6 Drew Rudkin! Drew was to play no further part in the game but down to 14 men, Lions now demonstrated the same resilience shown two seasons ago when they beat us with only 14 men on the pitch for ¾ of the game.

It was No 5 Matthew Tuckey who drove over after Stour had conceded a penalty lineout and Jon Boden converted to the sound of the final whistle and 23 – 12 score line.

The Rugby Paper has Jack Lea down as Man of The Match whilst the post game award went to Hal Riley (possibly for his singing qualities). However, and after a quiet word from DoR Neil Mitchell, it has to go to Stefan Thorp for an all round performance in set piece play, defence and attack. Well done Stefan Thorp and, ironically, nothing to do with your pre match comments!!!

With high flying Hinckley losing to 14th place Sheffield and the Macclesfield v Sale game called off, we find ourselves in 2nd place but with vital “must win” games against Sedgley Park and Tynedale the week after. As Hinckley will attest, nothing is certain in this fascinating league. Players do acknowledge, appreciate and encourage as much support as this club can manage so please take time out to follow the lads through this crucial part of the rugby calendar.