Season's second win takes Stour to top of the table in this exciting local derby.

Conditions were perfect for fast, open running rugby and the pitch looked immaculate although with some slight sub-surface softness, following previous days’ rain. Mortimer Park is less than 40 miles from Stourton Park but the journey is never a comfortable one given no motorway link or even a single dual carriageway.

This ‘local derby’ will always attract a high level of support and comment and Saturday’s fixture was no exception with a vocal home crowd given plenty to cheer about within the first 6 minutes, seeing their boys storm ahead with a 12 point cushion.

The first try came after Stour had kicked off proceedings and Lucs played with confidence, recycling the ball and slowly moving towards the visitors’ touch-line. The ball ended up in the grateful hands of second row Mike Cheasley who crashed over out left. Fly half Will Burton was unable to add the extras but made amends at his second attempt, less than 3 minutes later.

The second score came immediately from the kick off after the ball had been gathered and Stour went on the offensive. However, the ball was knocked on, straight into the arms of centre Frank Kelly. The strong running Kelly needed no second chance as he broke through some surprised defenders and dashed 45 metres to score. 12-0 with just 360 seconds of game time meant that Stourbridge now had a bit of work to do.

The next ten minutes of play were punctuated by referee Neil Chivers awarding a number of penalties to both sides with Lucs coming out in second place after being marched back an extra 10 metres for “back chat”. Chivers used this law twice more against the hapless hosts and the territorial gains were enough to put Stour within striking distance. Some good work by Sam Montieri saw the slippery 7 take an awkward loose ball into contact. Jack Lea joined the fray and a ruck was formed with Stour advancing ever closer to the Lucs line. Scrum Half, Joe Heatley picked the ball from the back and sniped through the melee to score the first of his brace. Captain Scott (Chris, not Walter or Robert Falcon) added the conversion and it was game on!

Stour then faced more defensive work to repel the hosts but a game changer came when Stourbridge stole a Lucs penalty lineout ball and Scott’s clearance kick was sent to the opposition ‘22’. However, it was then Stour’s turn to concede a penalty for “back chat’. Fortunately, the Luc’s lineout throw was not straight but Chad Thorne went down with a nasty arm injury giving Mark George his first taste of the game.

Within minutes, Stour won another penalty and Chris Scott made touch for a Stour lineout. Safe ball was rewarded when ex Huddersfield and Moseley No 8 Joe Collingham secured possession at the back of the maul. He broke free and evaded several defenders before charging 20 metres down the left wing for his first Try in Stourbridge colours.

Scott was unable to convert a tricky kick but, like his opposite number, was able to make amends shortly after when Joe Heatley took his team into the lead with a well work move. This followed a Stour penalty and a series of ‘pick and go’ moves involving Nick Murphy Sam Montieri and Jack Lea. The forwards worked the territory and Heatley spotted the final opportunity and scampered in, under the posts.

The final few minutes of the half were dominated by Luctonians but Stour were resolute in defence and a scrambled clearance kick by Heatley heralded half time. The score was 12 – 19 and the players left the field to a buzz of anticipation.

D0R Neil Mitchell made some changes during the break including one forced decision when Sam Montieri was struck with sudden stomach pain. Fortunately, he was only off the field for a few minutes. This was much to the relief of his replacement, Mike Worthington whose Zingiber officinale colouration meant he was at serious risk of combustion in the afternoon sun!

Into the second half and, once again, the penalty count started to mount up and Stour conceded 2:1 within 5 minutes. The second of these led to a kick into the corner but Stour were fortunate enough to see the ball go ‘touch in goal’ and the pressure was off…until penalty No 4 when Luctonian replacement Seb Robinson- Hall’s converted Try levelled the score after his team had a fine passage of play moving the ball both left and right as they advanced up the pitch.

This seemed to galvanise the visitors who, with dominance in the pack, started to gain momentum. On the hour mark, pressure was finally rewarded as “Bowling Ball” Jack Lea made a trademark carry and drove over the line for a “Bonus Point” Try which Chris Scott converted with ease. Stour then rode a short period of time within their own ‘22’ but this was soon behind them after stealing Luctonians’ lineout ball and Scott cleared to half way.

The away supporters did not have long to wait for the next score that came via some neat interplay between forwards and backs. The ball eventually found Mark Harrison who made a break down the left wing. His inside pass to Dan Rundle was perfectly timed and fellow speedster made no mistake with his finishing and the 64th minute Try was converted by Chris Scott to bring the score up to 19-33. Two minutes later and with the floodgates well and truly open Stourbridge scored again following some excellent work by Sam Montieri. He snaffled loose ball from Lucs and sprinted some 25 metres before being hauled down. Play was recycled by Joe Heatley and sent out right where Afeafe outpaced his opposite number before a clever inside pass saw George Morgan score his second of the season. Chris Scott converted this to bring up 40 points for Stour and a personal tally of 10.

Afeafe was to get his own reward shortly after this when Lucs were adjudged to have made a forward pass. Nigel Mukarati gathered the ball from the base of the scrum and then Joe Heatley changed the direction of play out to Afeafe who sprinted 25 metres, untouched by a struggling defence, to touch down in the right corner.

Stourbridge, once again involving some slick interplay between forwards and backs, dominated the remaining 10 minutes. Freddie Morgan announced his presence by a clever box kick, which was knocked on by Lucs. Shortly after he kicked to touch having been advised of the final whistle. Unfortunately, there were still several minutes left but Stourbridge were able to keep Lucs at bay who were still losing ground either through knock on play or by being marched back 10 metres for ‘back chat’.

Luctonians awarded 'Man of the Match' to Nick Murphy whilst The Rugby Paper gave it to Sam Montieri. From the Stour perspective it was Jack Lea but, in all fairness, it could have been shared by all twenty participants. As for the singing on the return journey... only you and the Flying Pickets may come out top!

This excellent away win has taken Stourbridge to top table position with maximum points but there are three sides breathing down our necks on 9 points, in the forms of Caldy, Sedgley Park and Sheffield Tigers. Next week, we entertain Hull at Stourton Park while Caldy visit ‘Tigers and Sedgley Park are away at Huddersfield.