A favoured Stour team returned home with a solitary bonus point after some tactically naïve passages of play but not helped by an apparently good touch down in the first half disallowed for a foot in touch.

At no stage in this game were Stourbridge ahead of their hosts in this tight yet somehow lackluster game separated only by a ‘Hoppers penalty with just 5 minutes of play left!

Conditions were nigh on perfect for a game of open, running rugby in spite of torrential rain across the country, games postponed and flooding in surrounding areas. However, the pre match conditions were dry and blue sky emerged from a low cloud base to illuminate Lightfoot Green Lane and the all weather surface that both sides have become accustomed to over the last two seasons.

Stour kicked off proceedings but the game was soon halted for a nasty injury to young Alex Maxwell who had to leave the pitch with just 7 minutes gone. The Peter Pan of forwards, Adam Sturdy, replaced him. Adam was benching in the absence of Mark George who had family commitments in Butlins Skegness. “Sturds” was not expecting to play for 73 seconds, never mind 73 minutes but had an admirable ‘cameo’ performance in both attack and defence!

Right from the start, the ‘Hoppers game plan became apparent as they chose to send probing kicks into the visitors’ territory. Unfortunately an initial threat by Stour saw a loose pass land with Matt Lamprey. The Preston No 8 was deceptively rapid for his size, taking the defence by surprise and his 70-metre break out was only just thwarted by Dan Rundle dashing across from his opposite wing. The next few minutes were played inside Stour’s ‘22’ and two cross field kicks were repelled the latter offering a Stour 22 metre drop out. However, Fly Half Joe Prior caught the ball and the diminutive player charged forward setting up Hooker Paul Millea and a first Try, close to the posts for a Jake Squirrel conversion.

The restart bounced into touch giving ‘Hoppers a lineout but the ball was soon in the hands of Jack Lea. His run down the left side field broke several tackles and he crashed over in the corner, only to be denied by the AR advising a foot in touch, having been asked by the referee yet not actually raising his flag at the time. Player body language, crowd reaction and even post match video evidence suggested a successful score but it was not to be!

The next few passages of play belonged to Stour including some fine work by Stef Thorp and Jack Lea at the breakdowns. Sam Wilson made a nice break but progress was halted a move later following a knock on. ‘Hoppers then stole the ball which resulted in some sustained pressure within Stour’s ‘22’. Eventually, the ball was sent left field and a 2:1 overlap which saw wingman Scott Jordan dot down in the corner but too far out for the conversion.

12 – 0 after 25 minutes was, perhaps a reasonable reflection of play but the next score was to show what a determined side can do when your opponents gift you possession and territory. Two consecutive penalties saw Preston forge their way inside Stour territory and a very well organized driving maul allowed second row replacement Luke Proctor to crash over just five minutes later to make the score 17 – 0. It could have more had it not been for a clever tap tackle by Stef Thorp.

Stour’s first opportunity to score came from a good highball catch by Reece Beddows, winning a penalty in the process. Lineout possession was sent down the ¾ line to Noah Heward whose grubber kick ahead was gathered by Dan Rundle who needed no second chances to score his 10th Try of the season and keeping him at the top of the League as well as 8th highest points scorer. Four minutes later and with the final phases of play before half time, Noah Heward was rewarded for his efforts. It came after Jack Lea ‘locked down’ on a hapless ‘Hopper winning a penalty. Good lineout ball gave possession to George Morgan who broke the defensive line, threw an outrageous dummy before shipping the ball to Noah who dived over in the corner. Afeafe Haisila hit a great conversion and the referee blew the whistle for a 17 – 12 half time display on the scoreboard.

The hosts took proceedings into the second period by kicking off only for Stour to concede a penalty but making amends by winning the resultant lineout! Shortly after, a Preston attack was halted by a Stef Thorp steal shortly followed by the industrious prop’s crunching tackle on another hapless ‘Hopper, winning a penalty, in the process. 15 minutes into the 2nd half gave Stour a penalty, virtually on the half way line and somebody on the visitors’ side called for a penalty kick at the posts. A somewhat bemused Afeafe Haisila placed the ball but was heard to mention to his manager that it may be a tad outside of his range! It was and Stour came away empty handed but ‘Afe’ came away with a smile just 2 minutes later with a Try of his own. Preston had sent another aerial bomb which Sam Wilson gathered and a ‘Hopper was penalized for not rolling away in the tackle. Stour lost the penalty lineout but regathered loose ball and sent the ball right. The talented Full Back plucked the ball from off his boot laces and had sufficient space to score an opportunist Try but was unable to convert from out wide. This leveled the tally at 17 – 17 still with 22 minutes left on the clock.

Both teams then swapped territory and possession with Preston winning the penalty account and flanker James Rodley losing the right to play another 10 minutes after seeing a Yellow card for a series of Stourbridge offside calls. Preston did themselves no favours after losing lineout ball and knocking on in front of the posts. Tight-head Prop Ryan Purcell also saw a Yellow Card , this time for foul play giving Stour some hope. However, the Preston scrum soon made amends when a strong shove cancelled out Stour ball and a penalty opportunity with just 5 minutes left to play.

No 9 Jake Squirrell stepped up to hit the simplest of efforts with his 2nd successful kick of the day and now Stour were looking into the jaws of defeat, not for the first time this season! The restart was good and Stourbridge were put on the front foot by centre three quarter Joe Heatley’s clever break. Winning a penalty, (too far out) Stour opted for lineout ball but the over throw was loose and Preston broke ahead. However, the conceded a second penalty, again for Stour to opt for lineout ball, again throwing long and…guess what…again throwing too long and gifting the ball back to a surprised, if somewhat delighted home team. The ball was kicked dead and the scoreline stayed at 20 – 17.

By way of a weekend consolation, England are through to the RWC Final who now face the juggernaut of a South Africa side who, slowly and stealthily, have crept below many a press radar screen to secure the other finals place. Interesting to note that SA have been in two finals (1995 and 2007) beating New Zealand and England, respectively. England have been in the final, three times. 1991 when they lost to Australia, taking revenge in 2003 and…yes, 2007 when they lost to…you know who!

The match itself was try-less with each team scoring only penalties. Both sides did have one major try scoring opportunity each; South Africa's came late in the first half, while England's came early in the second. England wing Mark Cueto was denied a try in the 42nd minute after he was ruled to have put a foot in touch during a tackle by Danie Rossouw before grounding the ball. Television match official Stuart Dickinson stood by his decision, though he encountered a language barrier with the French broadcaster preventing his access to a freeze frame.

The Final is being televised in the clubhouse with breakfast served to those who have ordered it. No doubt this will be a cracking game and, hopefully, a great prelude to our home fixture against old rivals Wharfedale (KO at 15:00).